social class

noun

plural social classes
: a group of people sharing the same social or socioeconomic status : class sense 2a
The well-to-do WTUL [=Women's Trade Union League] volunteers who joined striking New York City shirtwaist workers in 1909 had used their elegant attire to convey the fact that no woman, whatever her social class, could ignore the hardships endured by clothing workers in America.Ellen Cain
Her research explores the use and abuse of diversity and inclusion policy as a form of reputation management, and how social class influences access to and career progression within 'elite' occupations.Queen Mary University of London
The eight women denied being witches, but Mary was believed. She was 18, pretty, educated and from a higher social class.Martina Devlin

Examples of social class in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Daveed Diggs, Jennifer Connelly, Sean Bean and more play passengers from the full range of social classes involved in the plight to keep the fragile Snowpiercer on the rails. Rory Doherty, Time, 27 June 2025 The show, which highlights themes of wealth, social class, love and family abides by the book’s formula of alternating between flashbacks and the present time, while leading to a twist that, to this day, continues to stun readers. Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 22 June 2025 Various clashes occur in the room based on social class, race, and otherwise. Tomris Laffly, Variety, 11 June 2025 Something about the combination of massive catastrophe and the dividing lines between social classes aboard the liner — First Class, Second Class, and Steerage, with survival rates declining according to economic position — has proved enthralling. Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for social class

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of social class was in 1794

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Cite this Entry

“Social class.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20class. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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