classified

1 of 2

adjective

clas·​si·​fied ˈkla-sə-ˌfīd 

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

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

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1789, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1952, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for classified

• actinide
• aldehyde
• alkoxide
• alongside
• amplified
• arsenide
• beautified
• biocide
• butoxide
• calcified
• ceramide
• certified

Kids Definition

classified

1 of 2 adjective

clas·​si·​fied ˈklas-ə-ˌfīd 

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