classify

verb

clas·​si·​fy ˈkla-sə-ˌfī 

classified; classifying

transitive verb

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.

classifiable

ˌkla-sə-ˈfī-ə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• assort
• break down
• categorize
• class
• codify
• compartment
• compartmentalize
• digest
• distinguish
• distribute
• grade
• group
• peg
• place
• range
• rank
• relegate
• separate
• sort
• type

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

Bauman filed a police report, which classified the missing jewelry as a grand theft. —Thomas Lake, CNN, 23 June 2024

Among the issues lawmakers are set to tackle are preventing a tax increase that would take effect this fall due to continuing to classify commercial vehicles as motor vehicles. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 22 June 2024

In the new plan, workers had to classify themselves as remote or hybrid. —Samuel Axon, Ars Technica, 20 June 2024

In comparison, a total of 1,797 California bridges were classified as structurally deficient in 2019, the report said. —Devon Milley, Sacramento Bee, 19 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

see class entry 1

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

classify

verb

clas·​si·​fy ˈklas-ə-ˌfī 

classified; classifying

: to arrange in or assign to classes

classify books by subjects

classifiable

-ˌfī-ə-bəl 

adjective

classifier

-ˌfī(-ə)r

noun

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