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

Derived Forms

• class-action
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of class action

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

Arbitration can keep plaintiffs from banding together into a class action, and in that way attracting a lawyer to take on their case for a large enough contingent fee.

From Slate • Apr. 27, 2026

The company also faces a class action in Australia, as well as a campaign to organize Tesla owners in Europe who paid for FSD but never got it because of regulatory restrictions and technology updates.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

The online listing portal is now being pursued in a class action, launched by accountant Jeremy Newman on behalf of potentially hundreds of estate agents.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

“I expect that the proposed rule—once finalized—will reduce class action litigation over time,” said Rick Nowak, a lawyer at Mayer Brown who has defended plan sponsors in Erisa suits.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

Instead, at the end of 2002, Household settled a class action suit out of court and agreed to pay a $484 million fine distributed to twelve states.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis