mid·dle-class
ˌmi-dᵊl-ˈklas 
: of or relating to the middle class
especially
: characterized by a high material standard of living, sexual morality, and respect for property
a typical middle-class family
traditional middle-class values
: a class occupying a position between the upper class and the lower class
especially
: a fluid heterogeneous socioeconomic grouping composed principally of business and professional people, bureaucrats, and some farmers and skilled workers sharing common social characteristics and values
Examples of middle-class in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 3 Dec. 2025
Evangelou points out that Midwest markets tend to have affordable homes with strong inventory, but most Sunbelt and West Coast areas are still pricing out middle-class borrowers.
—Courtney Mikulski, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025
Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Dec. 2025
California’s health care industry is emerging as one of the state’s strongest on-ramps to the middle class for workers without a bachelor’s degree, but a sweeping report finds that many would-be entrants face barriers earning the credentials needed for those jobs.
—Cathie Anderson
updated December 4, Sacbee.com, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for middle-class
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Adjective
After the numbers were crunched, the best choice for middle-class retirees was determined to be Albert Lea, Minnesota, where residents enjoy an annual cost of living of only $29,333.
—Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 3 Dec. 2025
Evangelou points out that Midwest markets tend to have affordable homes with strong inventory, but most Sunbelt and West Coast areas are still pricing out middle-class borrowers.
—Courtney Mikulski, CBS News, 3 Dec. 2025
Noun
Pew Research Center defines the 2024 middle class as households earning $55,820 to $167,460, based on the national median income.
—Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Dec. 2025
California’s health care industry is emerging as one of the state’s strongest on-ramps to the middle class for workers without a bachelor’s degree, but a sweeping report finds that many would-be entrants face barriers earning the credentials needed for those jobs.
—Cathie Anderson
updated December 4, Sacbee.com, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for middle-class
Cite this Entry
“Middle-class.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/middle-class. Accessed 9 Dec. 2025.
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