reclassify

verb

re·​clas·​si·​fy (ˌ)rē-ˈkla-sə-ˌfī How to pronounce reclassify (audio)
reclassified; reclassifying; reclassifies

transitive verb

: to move from one class, classification, or category to another : to classify again
… in the 1980s, amphetamines were reclassified as controlled substances, which restricted their availability.Stephen Rae
reclassify the product to boost sales

Examples of reclassify in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
And a year later, at the urging of her daughters, Nancy’s case was reclassified as a homicide. Dateline Nbc, NBC news, 9 July 2025 This year, many of these areas were reclassified as moderate or high hazard, with the very high fire hazard zones being kept to mostly south of Highway 9 and in two portions of the western hills. Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 8 July 2025 Rosario recently reclassified to the class of 2025 and joined KU in June. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2025 In 2013, the Wix case was reclassified as a homicide. Craig Shoup, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for reclassify

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reclassify was in 1837

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Cite this Entry

“Reclassify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reclassify. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

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