...the arbitrary classification of knowledge into fields of study.
Synonyms: categorization, grading, cataloguing, taxonomy More Synonyms of classify
Synonyms: class, grouping, heading, head More Synonyms of classify
classify in British English
(ˈklæsɪˌfaɪ)
verbWord forms: -fies, -fying or -fied(transitive)
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
classifiable (ˈclassiˌfiable)
adjective
classifier (ˈclassiˌfier)
noun
Word origin
C18: back formation from classification
classify in American English
(ˈklæsəˌfaɪ)
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈclassiˌfied or ˈclassiˌfying
1.
to arrange or group in classes according to some system or principle
2.
to place in a class or category
3.
to designate (governmental documents, reports, etc.) to be secret or confidential and available only to authorized persons
Derived forms
classifiable (ˈclassiˌfiable)
adjective
classifier (ˈclassiˌfier)
noun
Word origin
< L classis (see UNRESOLVED CROSS REF) + -fy
classify in Accounting
(klæsɪfaɪ)
Word forms: (present) classifies, (past) classified, (perfect) classified, (progressive) classifying
verb
(Accounting: Financial statements)
If you classify things, you divide them into groups or types.
They are classified as limited liability companies.
Under the present system, bank assets are classified into 4 broad risk categories.
If you classify things, you divide them into groups or types.
Examples of 'classify' in a sentence
classify
A computer algorithm then classified people according to the behaviour.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She was entrusted with some of our nation's most important secrets and she betrayed that trust by carelessly mishandling highly classified information.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Last year the retired general pleaded guilty to mishandling classified information by sharing official log books with his biographer, who was also his mistress.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Banks are now classified into five groups based on bank capital.
Mishkin, Frederic S. Financial Markets, Institutions and Money (1995)
Why do so many people classify themselves as a movement?
Christianity Today (2000)
Nearly two billion people worldwide are classified as either obese or overweight.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
About a quarter of young people are currently classified as overweight or obese.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
We asked for details but they said the information was classified.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
They use the information to classify individuals and companies as carrying a highrisk to their clients.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They came up with the best assessment without compromising classified information or sources or methods.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
He was fired for leaking classified information to save some stranded astronauts.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Both emails contained information classified as top secret.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Such weather systems are formed in tropical regions in maritime tropical air masses and are classified into three groups depending on wind strength.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Fed highly classified information to the Soviets.
The Sun (2016)
The department also said that 26 portable memory sticks containing classified information had been stolen or misplaced since January.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He is wanted in the US for a range of charges including treason, espionage and leaking classified information.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
What on earth did he think he was doing passing on what should have been classified information to a football fan he met on the London Underground?
The Sun (2012)
In other languages
classify
British English: classify VERB
To classify things means to divide them into groups or types.
It is necessary initially to classify the headaches into certain types.
American English: classify
Brazilian Portuguese: classificar
Chinese: 把…分类
European Spanish: clasificar
French: classer
German: klassifizieren
Italian: classificare
Japanese: 分類する
Korean: 분류하다
European Portuguese: classificar
Latin American Spanish: clasificar
Chinese translation of 'classify'
classify
(ˈklæsɪfaɪ)
vt
[books, fossils etc]分类(類) (fēnlèi)
to classify sb/sth as sth将(將)某人/某物归(歸)类(類)为(為)某物 (jiāng mǒurén/mǒuwù guīlèi wéi mǒuwù)
(verb)
Definition
to arrange or order by classes
Rocks can be classified according to their mode of origin.
Synonyms
categorize
sort
He sorted the materials into their folders.
file
Papers are filed alphabetically.
rank
Universities were ranked according to marks scored in seven areas.
arrange
He started to arrange the books in piles.
grade
The college does not grade the children's work.
catalogue
The Royal Greenwich Observatory was founded to observe and catalogue the stars.
codify
The latest draft of the agreement codifies the panel's decision.
pigeonhole
I don't want to be pigeonholed as a kids' presenter.
tabulate
Results for the test program haven't been tabulated yet.
systematize
The way to stay on top is to systematize your approach.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of arrange
Definition
to put into a proper or systematic order
He started to arrange the books in piles.
Synonyms
put in order,
group,
form,
order,
sort,
class,
position,
range,
file,
rank,
line up,
organize,
set out,
sequence,
exhibit,
sort out (informal),
array,
classify,
tidy,
marshal,
align,
categorize,
systematize,
dispose,
jack up (New Zealand, informal)
in the sense of catalogue
Definition
to enter (an item) in a catalogue
The Royal Greenwich Observatory was founded to observe and catalogue the stars.
Synonyms
list,
file,
index,
register,
classify,
inventory,
accession,
tabulate,
alphabetize
in the sense of codify
Definition
to organize or collect together (rules or procedures) systematically
The latest draft of the agreement codifies the panel's decision.