noun
class
klahs
noun
1
A group of people or things sharing common features; a category.
"Mammals are a class of animals that feed their young milk."
2
A social group defined by wealth, occupation, or background.
"The novel explores tensions between the working class and the upper class."
3
A group of students taught together, or a single scheduled lesson.
"Our history class meets every Tuesday morning."
"She missed class because of a dentist appointment."
4
Elegance, style, or dignified behaviour.
"He handled the criticism with real class."
verb
1
To place something or someone into a particular category.
"The film is classed as a comedy, though it has dark moments."
How to Use Class
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA category or grouping — of people, things, or students — and informally, a word for style or elegance.
Common pairings
social class
take a class
in a class of its own
show some class
Word Forms
classed past tense, classes plural, classes singular
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Mammals are a _____ of animals that feed their young milk.
Etymology
From Latin classis, originally referring to a division of Roman citizens called up for military service, later generalised to mean "a group or category."