classify
verb
clas·si·fy
ˈkla-sə-ˌfī 
classified; classifying
1
: to arrange in classes (see class entry 1 sense 3)
classifying books according to subject matter
2
: to consider (someone or something) as belonging to a particular group
The movie is classified as a comedy.
The vehicle is classified as a truck.
Examples of classify in a Sentence
Students will be learning about the ways scientists classify animals.
The online system can classify books by subject.
Recent Examples on the Web
The 9% cap that failed Friday would have applied to properties classified as residential, commercial and agricultural.
—
Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026
Currently Not Collectible status The IRS may classify an account as Currently Not Collectible (CNC) if a taxpayer is facing severe financial hardship.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
SmartAsset used the Pew Research definition of middle class for its report, which classifies middle class as an income between two-thirds and double a region’s median income.
—Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 26 Mar. 2026
But under state law, Richter said, coyotes are classified as carriers for rabies, meaning trapping and relocating isn’t possible.
—Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for classify
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Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026
Currently Not Collectible status The IRS may classify an account as Currently Not Collectible (CNC) if a taxpayer is facing severe financial hardship.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
SmartAsset used the Pew Research definition of middle class for its report, which classifies middle class as an income between two-thirds and double a region’s median income.
—Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 26 Mar. 2026
But under state law, Richter said, coyotes are classified as carriers for rabies, meaning trapping and relocating isn’t possible.
—Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for classify
Cite this Entry
“Classify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/classify. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
classify
verb
clas·si·fy
ˈklas-ə-ˌfī
classified; classifying
: to arrange in or assign to classes
classify books by subjects
classifier
noun
-ˌfī(-ə)r
Medical Definition
classify
transitive verb
clas·si·fy
ˈklas-ə-ˌfī
classified; classifying
: to arrange in classes that have systematic relations usually founded on common properties
how would you classify these animals
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