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

Under state law, rape is classified as a felony punishable by three to eight years in prison. —Bill Chappell, NPR, 21 Nov. 2024

The second-largest whale species after blue whales, fin whales are classified as endangered species, according to NOAA. —Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY, 20 Nov. 2024

Tennessee’s law trips over itself to classify young patients based on their gender. —Ian Millhiser, Vox, 15 Nov. 2024

Voyager Acquisition Corp is classified as a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, and emerging growth company under SEC regulations. —Quartz Bot, Quartz, 14 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably in part a back-formation from classification, in part from class entry 1 + -ify

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