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

Example Sentences

Adjective The part of the report that includes classified information was removed before the report was made public.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The investigation has focused not only on the possession of classified documents, including at the top-secret level, but also on the refusal of Trump to return the records when asked, and on possible obstruction. Eric Tucker, Anchorage Daily News, 8 June 2023 The Justice Department is investigating how classified documents got to the home of former President Trump and the home and personal office of President Biden. C. Ryan Barber, WSJ, 8 June 2023 Trump is under investigation by a special counsel for actions leading up to Jan. 6, as well as the classified documents case. David Jackson, USA TODAY, 8 June 2023 If Trump is indicted on charges of allegedly mishandling classified documents, the indictment could come as early as next week. Misty Severi, Washington Examiner, 7 June 2023 Staff from the National Archives had replaced the potentially classified records with placeholder inserts that described their contents. Robert Legare, CBS News, 7 June 2023 Mishandling of classified government materials is a felony crime punishable up to 10 years in prison. Time, 7 June 2023 The latter session, Schumer said, will be the first-ever classified senators’ briefing on AI. Brian Fung, CNN, 7 June 2023 The agents are believed to be testifying on the handling of classified information, and their testimony is expected in the next few weeks. Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 6 June 2023
Noun
Online classifieds include VarageSale, letgo, Facebook Marketplace and 5miles. Jennifer Jolly, USA TODAY, 31 May 2020 Local classifieds apps – such as Craigslist, letgo, and Facebook Marketplace – are also a good sources to find a local deal (and not wait or pay for shipping). Marc Saltzman, USA TODAY, 16 Nov. 2019 But the most striking takeaway, when looking at the old classifieds, is the incredible hassle of ticket transactions in 1982. Peter Hartlaub, SFChronicle.com, 9 Jan. 2020 Hitesh Oberoi, managing director and chief executive officer of online classifieds company Info Edge, told Quartz: Data scientists and data engineers are the two jobs that come to mind. Quartz India, 11 Feb. 2020 The local classifieds are the best evidence of the Anchorage chinchilla market downturn. David Reamer, Anchorage Daily News, 27 Jan. 2020 Looking in three days of San Francisco Chronicle classifieds before the NFC playoff game, $325 was the most expensive ticket. Peter Hartlaub, SFChronicle.com, 9 Jan. 2020 Visit the classifieds page and click on place an ad or call 214-745-8123. Dallas News, 28 Aug. 2019 Bay Area crime rates were high in 1982, so the reasonable classifieds assumption was that any ticket priced below $75 was being sold by someone who wanted to participate in a kidnapping or robbery. Peter Hartlaub, SFChronicle.com, 9 Jan. 2020 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'classified.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near classified

Cite this Entry

“Classified.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/classified. Accessed 9 Jun. 2023.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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