classification
kla-sih-fih-KAY-shuhn
Classification (noun) means the act or system of sorting things into groups based on shared characteristics. Example: “Film classification helps parents decide which movies suit their children.”
noun
1
The act or system of sorting things into groups based on shared characteristics.
"Film classification helps parents decide which movies suit their children."
"The classification of species is based on shared physical traits."
"Their new classification system made the library much easier to use."
How to use classification
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSorting things into organised categories.
Common pairings
a classification system
scientific classification
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Word forms
- Plural
- classifications
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Film _____ helps parents decide which movies suit their children.
Etymology
Borrowed from French classification, ultimately built from Latin classis ("class") plus the verb-forming suffix -ficare ("to make").
Synonyms
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categorization
grouping
sorting
taxonomy
grading
arrangement
compartmentalization
categorisation
assortment
compartmentalisation
Antonyms
declassification
Related words
Rhymes for classification
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for classification →
Frequently asked questions
What does “classification” mean?
The word “classification” means the act or system of sorting things into groups based on shared characteristics. In plain terms, sorting things into organised categories.
How do you pronounce “classification”?
“Classification” is pronounced kla-sih-fih-KAY-shuhn (/ˌklæsɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “classification” in a sentence?
Here is “classification” used in a sentence: “The classification of species is based on shared physical traits.”
What part of speech is “classification”?
“Classification” is a noun.
Where does the word “classification” come from?
The word “classification” comes from Latin. Borrowed from French classification, ultimately built from Latin classis ("class") plus the verb-forming suffix -ficare ("to make").
Is “classification” a common word?
“Classification” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between classification and categorization?
Classification and categorization both involve sorting things into groups based on shared characteristics, and the words are often used interchangeably. Classification tends to suggest a more formal or scientific system with defined rules, while categorization can be looser and more everyday. In science, classification usually refers to established systems like the ranking of living things.
What is the difference between classification and sorting?
Classification is the act or system of grouping things by shared characteristics, often creating named categories, while sorting is simply arranging items into an order or into groups. Classification implies a defined scheme of classes, whereas sorting can be as simple as separating by size or colour. Sorting is often a step within classification.
What are common fields that use classification?
Classification is widely used in biology, library science, data science, and law, wherever things must be sorted into groups by shared characteristics. In biology it organizes living things, and in libraries it arranges books by subject. The word signals an organized system rather than a one-off grouping.
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