reclassify

verb

re·​clas·​si·​fy (ˌ)rē-ˈkla-sə-ˌfī 

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

In 2014, California voters approved Proposition 47, a ballot initiative that reclassified several nonviolent felonies, including shoplifting, theft and drug possession, as misdemeanors if the value involved was $950 or less. —Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 12 June 2025

Over the past month, this version of the Knicks has reclassified itself. —Fred Katz, New York Times, 21 May 2025

After reclassifying ahead a year, Flagg entered college at 17 and didn’t turn 18 until December. —Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025

Being labeled as an English learner affords a student additional resources partly subsidized by additional state funding that is meant to help the student get reclassified to fluent English proficiency status. —Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 7 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for reclassify

• acidify
• alveoli
• areolae
• demystify
• detoxify
• disqualify
• diversify
• electrify
• exemplify
• fasciculi
• identify
• indemnify