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 of classification

• category
• type
• kind

Examples of classification in a Sentence

the classification of new species

job classifications for government workers

Recent Examples on the Web

On Saturday night at Hornet Stadium, the Bison defeated Sacramento State, 31-10, in a meeting of college football’s two newest members to the NCAA Division I FBS ranks, the highest classification in the sport. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 20 Sep. 2026

Justice was a sophomore team captain who took second place in the 106-pound classification at the tournament, per his father's post. — Logan Smith, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026

The victory was Howard’s first over Baldwin, first over a Top 10 team from its classification or higher and first over a Top 10 team from any class since 2015. — Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 20 Sep. 2026

Decorative design is a broad classification for designs in which the visual impact of the entire arrangement is more important than the individual components. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 19 Sep. 2026

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

Rhymes for classification

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

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