classification

noun

clas·​si·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌkla-sə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act or process of classifying

2

a

: systematic arrangement in groups or categories according to established criteria

specifically : taxonomy

b

: class, category

classificatory

ˈkla-sə-fi-kə-ˌtȯr-ē  kla-ˈsi-fə-  ˈkla-sə-fə-ˌkā-tə-rē 

adjective

Synonyms

• bracket
• category
• class
• division
• family
• genus
• grade
• group
• kind
• league
• order
• rank(s)
• rubric
• set
• species
• tier
• type

Examples of classification in a Sentence

the classification of new species

job classifications for government workers

Recent Examples on the Web

Weaving threads of intelligent technologies to create something that escapes conformity and classification to celebrate such an aged whisky has been a thrill. —Alissa Fitzgerald, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

Officials from the Office of Medical Cannabis and the Kentucky Lottery Corporation managed the lottery draws for four classifications, cultivators in Tiers I-III and processors. —Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 28 Oct. 2024

These classifications are based on the species’ population size, distribution, habitat loss, and other threats such as the climate crisis. —Rachel Ramirez, CNN, 28 Oct. 2024

The clumsy classifications underscore an even deeper problem with our knowledge—or lack thereof—of UPFs. —Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin classificātiōn-, classificātiō, from Latin classis "group called to military service, fleet, class entry 1" + -i- -i- + -ficātiōn-, -ficātiō -fication

First Known Use

1767, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing classification

• Dewey decimal classification
• self-classification

Kids Definition

classification

noun

clas·​si·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌklas-(ə-)fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act or process of classifying

2

a

: systematic arrangement in groups : taxonomy

b

: class entry 1 sense 3a, category

classificatory

ˈklas-(ə-)fə-kə-ˌtōr-ē  -ˌtȯr- 

adjective

Medical Definition

classification

noun

clas·​si·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌklas-(ə-)fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act or process of classifying

2

: systematic arrangement of animals and plants in groups or categories according to established criteria

specifically : taxonomy sense 2

Legal Definition

classification

noun

clas·​si·​fi·​ca·​tion

: the act or method of distributing into a class or category according to characteristics

also : a class or category determined by characteristics see also suspect classification