classification

American  

[klas-uh-fi-key-shuhn] / ˌklæs ə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

• classifications
  plural

1. the act of classifying.

2. the result of classifying or being classified.

3. one of the groups or classes into which things may be or have been classified.

4. Biology. the assignment of organisms to groups within a system of categories distinguished by structure, origin, etc. The usual series of categories is phylum (or, especially in botany,division ), class, order, family, genus, species, and variety.

5. the category, as restricted, confidential, secret, or top secret, to which information, a document, etc., is assigned, as by a government or military agency, based on the degree of protection considered necessary to safeguard it from unauthorized use.

6. Library Science. any of various systems for arranging books and other materials, especially according to subject or format.

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classification British  

/ ˌklæsɪfɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. systematic placement in categories

2. one of the divisions in a system of classifying

3. biology

   1. the placing of animals and plants in a series of increasingly specialized groups because of similarities in structure, origin, molecular composition, etc, that indicate a common relationship. The major groups are domain or superkingdom, kingdom, phylum (in animals) or division (in plants), class, order, family, genus, and species

   2. the study of the principles and practice of this process; taxonomy

4. government the designation of an item of information as being secret and not available to people outside a restricted group

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classification Scientific  

/ klăs′ə-fĭ-kā′shən /

1. The systematic grouping of organisms according to the structural or evolutionary relationships among them. Organisms are normally classified by observed similarities in their body and cell structure or by evolutionary relationships based on the analysis of sequences of their DNA.

2. See more at cladistics Linnean See Table at taxonomy

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• misclassification
  noun
• nonclassification
  noun
• overclassification
  noun
• preclassification
  noun
• classificational
  adjective
• classificatory
  adjective
• clasificatorily
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• classifications
  plural

Etymology

Origin of classification

1780–90; < Latin classi ( s ) class + -fication

Explanation

Classification is the process of putting something into a category. Classification of all your clothes by color may make it easier for you to put together an outfit, especially if you favor a monochrome look. Classification involves putting things into a class or group according to particular characteristics so it’s easier to make sense of them, whether you’re organizing your shoes, your stock portfolio, or a group of invertebrates. If you’re an international spy, you might know that classification also can mean a government’s system for keeping secrets. If you have a high level of security classification, then you know really top secret stuff.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

classification classifications

The four-time Vuelta winner finished in a time of 35 minutes and 41 seconds to reduce the lead of Spaniard Mas, who came 12th, to one minute 37 seconds in the general classification.

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026

Spanish rider Enric Mas of Team Movistar maintained his 2min 6sec general classification lead on Felix Gall, with Primoz Roglic a further four seconds behind.

From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026

The classification was based on clues in foot anatomy as well as the way the individuals appear to have moved.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 30, 2026

His critics claim he has upended the foundations of classification; his allies, that he works in the name of conservation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026

But I was put through the physical anyway, and they sent me a card with some kind of a classification.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

The "failure was one of communication, not application", he said, adding that the ministry was working hard to search through documents across multiple IT systems and classifications at "huge expense".

From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2026

Specimens preserved for decades or even centuries can give researchers a way to revisit old classifications, compare physical traits, and resolve questions that earlier scientists could not answer.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 5, 2026

When asked about the classifications of countries as frontier, emerging or developed, Schwartz said he didn’t like two features of the classifications.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 3, 2026

In California, e-bikes and e-motorcycles are divided into different classifications, which limits who can ride them and how.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026

While I desired the privileges that came with higher classifications, I refused to compromise my conduct.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• allocation
• allotment
• analysis
• arrangement
• coordination
• designation
• distribution
• grade
• regulation