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 of classification

• category
• type
• kind

Examples of classification in a Sentence

the classification of new species

job classifications for government workers

Recent Examples on the Web

Our platform supports product classification, duties and taxes, customs compliance and carrier routing. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026

District populations are identified as urban, suburban, small city, and rural based on the 2023 National Center for Health Statistics county-level classification system. — Eric Lau, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026

The offense classification and potential penalties vary with prior offenses and the stop’s circumstances. — Karen Koehler, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026

This sort of classification task is something that rudimentary AI, or machine learning systems, have handled for decades. — Wen Shao, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026

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

Rhymes for classification

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

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