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
Don Juan Moore/Getty Images To get ahead of the issue, the Federal Aviation Administration has issued a ban on all drone flights over the Super Bowl, which has been classified by the federal government as a top special event that merits extensive interagency support.
—
Anna Schecter, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
Without that key step, you can’t be classified as a true star; the presence of those fusion reactions, where hydrogen gets fused into helium, separates stars from all other heavenly bodies.
—Big Think, 6 Feb. 2026
Jurors were asked to decide whether Uber, through its branding and actions, led Dean to reasonably believe her driver was acting on Uber’s behalf — even though drivers are classified as independent contractors.
—Miguel Torres, Oklahoman, 6 Feb. 2026
The ride-hailing company has said it should not be held liable for the misconduct of drivers, who are classified as contractors on its platform.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for classify
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Anna Schecter, CBS News, 7 Feb. 2026
Without that key step, you can’t be classified as a true star; the presence of those fusion reactions, where hydrogen gets fused into helium, separates stars from all other heavenly bodies.
—Big Think, 6 Feb. 2026
Jurors were asked to decide whether Uber, through its branding and actions, led Dean to reasonably believe her driver was acting on Uber’s behalf — even though drivers are classified as independent contractors.
—Miguel Torres, Oklahoman, 6 Feb. 2026
The ride-hailing company has said it should not be held liable for the misconduct of drivers, who are classified as contractors on its platform.
—Samantha Subin, CNBC, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for classify
Cite this Entry
“Classify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/classify. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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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