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Meaning & use

classification

noun·Academic

Last updated

UK/ˌklæsɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/
US/ˌklæsɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/

Meanings

  1. noununcountable

    The process of sorting things into groups according to features they share.

    Grammar: Uncountable when it names the process: classification takes time.

    Patterns

    • classification of something
    • classification by something

    Biological classification groups living things by shared traits.

    The librarian is responsible for the classification of new books.

    Careful classification of the samples saved the lab hours of work.

  2. nouncountable

    A group or category in a system of sorting, or the label given to it.

    Grammar: Countable when it refers to a particular category: a classification, several classifications.

    Patterns

    • a classification of something
    • fall into a classification

    The film received a family-friendly classification.

    Under this classification, the injury counts as minor.

    Each job has a different pay classification.

  3. nouncountable or uncountableformal

    An official label showing how secret a government document is.

    Grammar: Often used with a level word: a high classification.

    Patterns

    • classification level

    The report has a top-secret classification.

    Few staff have the clearance to see that classification.

    Officials reviewed the classification of the old files.

Word forms

pluralclassifications

Common combinations

biological classification
Biological classification starts with the kingdom and ends with the species.
security classification
The memo carried a high security classification.
classification system
The library uses a numerical classification system.
job classification
Her job classification changed after the promotion.
classification of
The classification of languages into families is a major field of study.
under this classification
Under this classification, a tomato is a fruit.

Synonyms and how they differ

categorization
Categorization stresses putting things into named categories, and it is slightly more common in everyday speech.
grouping
Grouping is a looser word that need not follow a formal system.
taxonomy
Taxonomy is the formal science or system of classification, especially for living things.
ranking
Ranking places items in order of quality or size, while classification sorts them by type.

Opposites

confusiondisorder

Word family

classify verb
to arrange in groups
classified adjective
official and secret, or arranged by type
classifier noun
a person or program that sorts things into groups
class noun
a group of similar things
reclassification noun
a change to a new category

Commonly confused: classification or classics? classification or classification vs. clarification?

classification vs classics

Classics refers to great works of ancient or lasting value, not to sorting things into groups.

classification vs classification vs. clarification

Clarification means making something clearer, while classification means sorting into groups.

Practice

A zoologist places a newly found beetle into the correct family. This is an example of ___.

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