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

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

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for social class

• candlemas
• fiberglass
• fibreglass
• hourglass
• isinglass
• lemongrass
• martinmas
• orchardgrass
• overpass
• plexiglas
• plexiglass
• sassafras