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.
Synonyms
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
Some considered Woolworth’s the first national discounter, but Woolworth’s is best classified as a Main Street, five-and-dime store, with counters for sandwiches and chocolate egg cremes.
—
David Moin, WWD, 21 Oct. 2024
Threat level: The CDC classifies the risk to the general public as low.
—Christine Clarridge, Axios, 21 Oct. 2024
It's classified as a complex carbohydrate, meaning it's digested more slowly by the body than simple or refined carbs such as white sugar.
—Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2024
From September to this month, the entire territory's population is classified as level four, or experiencing a food emergency, the report says.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for classify 
David Moin, WWD, 21 Oct. 2024
Threat level: The CDC classifies the risk to the general public as low.
—Christine Clarridge, Axios, 21 Oct. 2024
It's classified as a complex carbohydrate, meaning it's digested more slowly by the body than simple or refined carbs such as white sugar.
—Melissa Nieves, Verywell Health, 21 Oct. 2024
From September to this month, the entire territory's population is classified as level four, or experiencing a food emergency, the report says.
—Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for classify
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'classify.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near classify
Cite this Entry
“Classify.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/classify. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.
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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