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

The rules allow investigators of every social class and how to bring them together for a game of supernatural mystery. —Rob Wieland, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025

The sport brings in millions of dollars in advertising revenue and ticket sales at the top level, centered in Britain, and the prize money at leading competitions can catapult winners into a higher social class. —Claire Moses, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025

Snook does individual voices for both men and women of myriad ages and social classes, none of which resemble her bouncy native Aussie accent. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2025

Every year in the United States, almost 20 million people go to college, representing every race, ethnicity, and social class. —Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 30 Mar. 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