class action

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

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

Other Words From

• class-ac·tion [klas, -, ak, -sh, uh, n, klahs, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of class action¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

The proposed class action against Papa John’s was led by the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System.

From Washington Post

Instacart also found itself in hot water over its own tipping debacle in 2019, which included a class action lawsuit over also taking driver tips to pay wages.

From TechCrunch

In the latest edition of our Confessions series, in which we trade anonymity for candor, the creative strategist explains why there’s no other option but to take a class action race discrimination lawsuit.

From Digiday

You can find a list of other open class actions, involving companies like Apple and Kotex, here.

From Fortune

While class action settlements are common, fewer than 10% of eligible consumers typically file to receive their money.

From Fortune

I wonder about the local fisherman; could they file a class action suit?

From The Daily Beast

After her case was dismissed, Raske recruited more models to join a new class action lawsuit.

From The Daily Beast

The class action plaintiffs allege that the agencies ignored this order and have continued on with business as usual.

From The Daily Beast

Twenty-three plaintiffs in the class-action suit against the NFL died this year.

From The Daily Beast

The case arose as a result of a form of class action brought by a gay rights group in 2002.

From The Daily Beast

Anarchism is a doctrine of individualism; syndicalism is a doctrine of working-class action.

From Project Gutenberg

Class-consciousness points out the necessity for working-class action, economic and political.

From Project Gutenberg