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

A federal judge on Thursday ordered the government to release a man arrested by ICE last week amid his involvement in a class action lawsuit challenging immigration raids in Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

The Monrovia-based company agreed to a $7.4-million settlement in a class action lawsuit that claimed customers were left vulnerable to identity theft.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 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

Qantas Airways agreed to pay US$74.3 million to settle a class action over not offering cash refunds for Covid-19 canceled flights.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

When this book went to press, they were contemplating class action.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot