classification

Definition

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.”

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “classification” in context.

Noun

01. classification system

“The library uses a complex classification system to organize its vast collection of rare manuscripts.”

noun + noun

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

“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