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
Our writers picked a few obvious candidates (anytime Lamar Jackson-Patrick Mahomes clash in any year classifies as must-see).
—
Dan Pompei, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Based on double-occupancy stateroom bookings, groups typically need to have a minimum of five to eight cabins to be classified as a group.
—Linnea Bailey, Southern Living, 18 May 2025
Caught by the Tides, which premiered at Cannes last year and is finally opening theatrically in the U.S., is understandably impossible to classify.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 17 May 2025
The current government has classified more than 800 Bangladeshi protesters killed last year as martyrs – which now allows their families to receive lifetime benefits, just like those of freedom fighters.
—Simon Montlake, Christian Science Monitor, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for classify
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Dan Pompei, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Based on double-occupancy stateroom bookings, groups typically need to have a minimum of five to eight cabins to be classified as a group.
—Linnea Bailey, Southern Living, 18 May 2025
Caught by the Tides, which premiered at Cannes last year and is finally opening theatrically in the U.S., is understandably impossible to classify.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 17 May 2025
The current government has classified more than 800 Bangladeshi protesters killed last year as martyrs – which now allows their families to receive lifetime benefits, just like those of freedom fighters.
—Simon Montlake, Christian Science Monitor, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for classify
Cite this Entry
“Classify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/classify. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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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