class action

American  

noun

1. a legal proceeding in which persons representing interests common to a large group participate as representatives of the group or class.

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class action British  

noun

1. law a legal action undertaken by one or more people representing the interests of a large group of people with the same grievance

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Other Word Forms

• class-action adjective

Etymology

Origin of class action

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

This no-fault system ensures individuals are compensated by the government in a timely manner for vaccine injuries, though it also makes it harder to pursue class actions.

From The Wall Street Journal

The class action lawsuit, filed last month in the Northern District of California against the Department of Homeland Security and U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

The case the justice agreed to hear stems from a class action brought by the parents of two babies born in the U.S. and a pregnant woman who has since given birth.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some are trying to seek compensation in the courts, with a growing trend of class action lawsuits - though these are notoriously hard to win because it is difficult to prove how individuals have been impacted.

From BBC

In a class action complaint filed this month in Delaware Chancery Court, hedge funds and other large Skechers investors accused the company and 3G Capital of arranging a non-independent deal that shortchanged minority shareholders.

From Los Angeles Times