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
Even beverages such as coffee, Coke, and their mixtures could be classified with strong performance.
—
New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2025
Small schools — typically classified as those with no more than 5,000 students — tend to have less financial flexibility and will be especially vulnerable, said Dick Startz, an economics professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
—Collin Binkley, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2025
Getty Images The agency's inspectors classified both recalls as Class II, the second highest of three hazard levels, on August 28.
—Matt Cannon, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
The medical examiner’s office, in its homicide total, includes killings that CPD may classify as self-defense or non-criminal.
—Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for classify
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New Atlas, 30 Aug. 2025
Small schools — typically classified as those with no more than 5,000 students — tend to have less financial flexibility and will be especially vulnerable, said Dick Startz, an economics professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
—Collin Binkley, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2025
Getty Images The agency's inspectors classified both recalls as Class II, the second highest of three hazard levels, on August 28.
—Matt Cannon, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
The medical examiner’s office, in its homicide total, includes killings that CPD may classify as self-defense or non-criminal.
—Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 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 5 Sep. 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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