classified

1 of 2

adjective

clas·​si·​fied ˈkla-sə-ˌfīd How to pronounce classified (audio)
1
: divided into classes or placed in a class
classified ads
2
: withheld from general circulation for reasons of national security
classified information

classified

2 of 2

noun

: an advertisement grouped with others according to subject
usually used in plural

Examples of classified in a Sentence

Adjective The part of the report that includes classified information was removed before the report was made public.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Users need to have a top-secret security clearance of the highest level possible at the Energy Department to access the network, according to agency rules for handling classified information. Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 3 May 2025 Hegseth and others in the Trump administration have downplayed the controversy, saying no classified information was shared on the Signal chats. Dan Mangan, CNBC, 1 May 2025
Noun
The company also recently offered to acquire Australian real estate classifieds firm Domain Holdings. Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 12 Apr. 2025 Craigslist surfaced and eventually dethroned newspapers as the go-to place for classifieds. Roxana Popescu, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for classified

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1789, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of classified was in 1789

Cite this Entry

“Classified.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/classified. Accessed 7 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

classified

1 of 2 adjective
clas·​si·​fied ˈklas-ə-ˌfīd How to pronounce classified (audio)
1
: divided into classes or placed in a class
classified ads
2
: withheld from the knowledge of the general public for reasons of national security
classified information

classified

2 of 2 noun
: an advertisement grouped with others of the same kind
usually used in plural

More from Merriam-Webster on classified

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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