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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.


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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • class-action adjective

Etymology

Origin of class action

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A proposed class action has been filed in a San Francisco federal court accusing the company of securities fraud.

From Barron's

A class action lawsuit accuses Super Micro Computer of securities fraud for undisclosed server sales to China.

From Barron's

That payout has now come under scrutiny after a Times investigation found that some plaintiffs had been paid to join the class action lawsuit.

From Los Angeles Times

The verdict in the class action securities lawsuit means the world's richest person could be ordered to pay billions of dollars, according to damages calculated by jurors.

From Barron's

By continuing, you agree to our Terms of Service, which include arbitration and a class action waiver.

From Los Angeles Times