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
The information, classified as secret, pertained to military targets and Russian military capabilities, according to the plea agreement.
—
CBS News, 14 July 2025
Hotels were classified among resorts, city hotels, inn or safari lodge.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2025
That likely explains why the impression of the fossil housed at the Senckenberg Natural History Museum in Germany had long been classified as Homoeosaurus maximiliani.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 July 2025
While their exact design and capabilities are classified, Keyhole satellites are believed to provide the sharpest images of any spy satellite in orbit.
—Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for classify
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.
CBS News, 14 July 2025
Hotels were classified among resorts, city hotels, inn or safari lodge.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2025
That likely explains why the impression of the fossil housed at the Senckenberg Natural History Museum in Germany had long been classified as Homoeosaurus maximiliani.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 July 2025
While their exact design and capabilities are classified, Keyhole satellites are believed to provide the sharpest images of any spy satellite in orbit.
—Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 11 July 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 26 Jul. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share