classify
verb
clas·si·fy
ˈkla-sə-ˌfī 
classified; classifying
1
: to arrange in classes (see class entry 1 sense 3)
classifying books according to subject matter
2
: to consider (someone or something) as belonging to a particular group
The movie is classified as a comedy.
The vehicle is classified as a truck.
Examples of classify in a Sentence
Students will be learning about the ways scientists classify animals.
The online system can classify books by subject.
Recent Examples on the Web
Because broadcasters did not classify them as political, the state received heavy discounts to air at least some of them.
—
Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 12 Dec. 2025
The executive order would instruct federal agencies to pursue classifying marijuana as a less dangerous substance, according to The Post.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
All vehicles will be classified by the lead vehicle.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 11 Dec. 2025
The recall began on November 16, 2025, and was classified by the FDA as a Class I event on December 10.
—Associate News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for classify
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Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 12 Dec. 2025
The executive order would instruct federal agencies to pursue classifying marijuana as a less dangerous substance, according to The Post.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025
All vehicles will be classified by the lead vehicle.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 11 Dec. 2025
The recall began on November 16, 2025, and was classified by the FDA as a Class I event on December 10.
—Associate News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for classify
Cite this Entry
“Classify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/classify. Accessed 16 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
classify
verb
clas·si·fy
ˈklas-ə-ˌfī
classified; classifying
: to arrange in or assign to classes
classify books by subjects
classifier
noun
-ˌfī(-ə)r
Medical Definition
classify
transitive verb
clas·si·fy
ˈklas-ə-ˌfī
classified; classifying
: to arrange in classes that have systematic relations usually founded on common properties
how would you classify these animals
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