classification

noun

clas·​si·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌkla-sə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act or process of classifying

2

a

: systematic arrangement in groups or categories according to established criteria

specifically : taxonomy

b

: class, category

classificatory

ˈkla-sə-fi-kə-ˌtȯr-ē  kla-ˈsi-fə-  ˈkla-sə-fə-ˌkā-tə-rē 

adjective

Synonyms

• bracket
• category
• class
• division
• family
• genus
• grade
• group
• kind
• league
• order
• rank(s)
• rubric
• set
• species
• tier
• type

Examples of classification in a Sentence

the classification of new species

job classifications for government workers

Recent Examples on the Web

Researchers often categorize foods by their level of processing under a classification system called the NOVA scale. —Korin Miller, Health, 25 Jan. 2025

This classification system is problematic for several reasons: 1. —Luboslava Uram, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

For a growing segment of wine lovers today, the allure of wine isn’t the exclusivity or specificity outlined by traditional hierarchies or classifications, explains Oscar Salinas, co-owner of Los Naturales, a natural wine bar and bottle shop in Chicago. —Anna Lee C. Iijima, Bon Appétit, 22 Jan. 2025

Communications equipment includes everything from cellphones to TVs to satellites, according to the classification system the US government uses. —Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 22 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin classificātiōn-, classificātiō, from Latin classis "group called to military service, fleet, class entry 1" + -i- -i- + -ficātiōn-, -ficātiō -fication

First Known Use

1767, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing classification

• Dewey decimal classification
• self-classification

Kids Definition

classification

noun

clas·​si·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌklas-(ə-)fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act or process of classifying

2

a

: systematic arrangement in groups : taxonomy

b

: class entry 1 sense 3a, category

classificatory

ˈklas-(ə-)fə-kə-ˌtōr-ē  -ˌtȯr- 

adjective

Medical Definition

classification

noun

clas·​si·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌklas-(ə-)fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act or process of classifying

2

: systematic arrangement of animals and plants in groups or categories according to established criteria

specifically : taxonomy sense 2

Legal Definition

classification

noun

clas·​si·​fi·​ca·​tion

: the act or method of distributing into a class or category according to characteristics

also : a class or category determined by characteristics see also suspect classification