English Reference
Noun

classification

n. C / U
C1 Advanced Oxford US /ˌkɫæsəfəˈkeɪʃən/ UK /klˌæsɪfɪkˈeɪʃən/ clas·si·fi·ca·tion UK spelling classifications

n.the act of putting things into groups based on how they are similar. It helps you organize information so it is easier to understand or find later.

n.the systematic arrangement of items into categories based on shared characteristics or criteria. Often implies a formal or scientific framework for organizing data.


SIMPLE

The library uses a specific system for the classification of books.

CONTEXTUAL

Biologists use a complex system of classification to group living organisms by their genetic similarities.

COMPLEX

The rapid evolution of digital media has challenged traditional classification systems, forcing archivists to develop more flexible categories for hybrid creative works.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the general process; countable when referring to a specific category or a particular system of organization.

Usage classification system

By occupying this unusual position, the genus helps fill an important gap in the existing classification system.

ScienceDaily· 4 Aug 2026

The findings, published in the Cambridge University Press journal Antiquity , show that the helmets were manufactured between the late 14th and early 15th centuries, completely overturning their long-standing Roman classification.

ScienceDaily· 8 Jun 2026

Common in science writing


Borrowed from French classification.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin French classification
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Common
Updated