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 lockbox is fireproof and waterproof and Underwriters Laboratory (UL) classified.
—
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
The best way to protect yourself from poor air quality is to stay indoors, especially when the Air Quality Index reaches above 101, which is classified as unhealthy for sensitive groups, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
—Jack Albright, jsonline.com, 6 Aug. 2025
During the Jim Crow Era, Black people were classified as high risk by insurance companies.
—Ronny Maye, Essence, 5 Aug. 2025
They're classified by strength into five categories: A, B, C, M, and X.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2025
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Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2025
The best way to protect yourself from poor air quality is to stay indoors, especially when the Air Quality Index reaches above 101, which is classified as unhealthy for sensitive groups, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
—Jack Albright, jsonline.com, 6 Aug. 2025
During the Jim Crow Era, Black people were classified as high risk by insurance companies.
—Ronny Maye, Essence, 5 Aug. 2025
They're classified by strength into five categories: A, B, C, M, and X.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 4 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 14 Aug. 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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