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

At its core, the film explores the power dynamics and contradictions that arise from social inequality when people from different social classes live under the same roof. — Annika Pham, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026

For decades, the country’s version of the hot dog has been one of the most affordable foods enjoyed across social classes. — ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026

At age 37, Abby was considered a spinster, and her social class was well below that of her husband. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2026

At a time when the nascent feminist movement was largely associated with White, middle-class women, Steinem made race and social class central to her thought and writing. — Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for social class

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