classification

American  

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

noun

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

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

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

Prediction markets, such as Polymarket and Kalshi, are under debate regarding their classification as investing or gambling.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

Using a new classification approach, a study determined that artifacts from more than 12,000 years ago were actually dice used by North American hunter-gatherers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

Careful classification, known as taxonomy, is essential for understanding the animals that live in the CCZ.

From Science Daily • Mar. 25, 2026

Because of his earlier work with MI5, Joseph had security clearance up to "Developed Vetting" and he could access information "of the highest classification".

From BBC • Mar. 20, 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

Related Words

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