classify

[ klas-uh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, clas·si·fied, clas·si·fy·ing.

1. to arrange or organize by classes; order according to class.

   Synonyms: group, categorize, rate, rank, class

2. to assign a classification to (information, a document, etc.). Compare classification ( def 5 ).
3. to limit the availability of (information, a document, etc.) to authorized persons.

classify

/ ˈklæsɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to arrange or order by classes; categorize
2. government to declare (information, documents, etc) of possible aid to an enemy and therefore not available to people outside a restricted group

Derived Forms

• ˈclassiˌfier, noun
• ˈclassiˌfiable, adjective

Other Words From

• classi·fia·ble adjective
• mis·classi·fy verb (used with object) misclassified misclassifying
• non·classi·fia·ble adjective
• over·classi·fy verb (used with object) overclassified overclassifying
• pre·classi·fy verb (used with object) preclassified preclassifying
• un·classi·fia·ble adjective
• un·classi·fia·ble·ness noun
• un·classi·fia·bly adverb
• un·classi·fying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of classify¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; from Latin classi(s) class + -fy

Word History and Origins

Origin of classify¹

C18: back formation from classification

Example Sentences

In a second step, the scientists combined the behaviour thus classified with the GPS data from the tags.

From Science Daily

He also wanted the RSF to be classified as "terrorists... because it wages a war of extermination against civilians".

From BBC

India's pollution control authority has classified the air in Delhi as "severe plus", after the city passed 450 according to its measurements on Monday morning.

From BBC

Another government document, from the 1990s, shows officials discussing their “concerns” that judges at the European Court of Human Rights had been told that there were no classified records concerning the monitoring of personnel.

From BBC

One in particular — Phos-Chek LC-95W — had “potentially alarming” concentrations of several metals, including chromium, cadmium and vanadium, he said, adding that the substance could be classified as hazardous waste under federal and California regulations.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• allocate
• analyze
• arrange
• distribute
• divide
• label
• organize
• segregate