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

---

Other Word Forms

• class-action
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of class action

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

class action

A reopened 2015 class action adds uncertainty but exposure is largely contained by insurance, Wallington says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026

By early 2026, the company faced multiple class action lawsuits accusing it of misleading investors.

From Barron's ● May 7, 2026

The other case is a proposed class action that would compensate policyholders for the higher premiums.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 6, 2026

In a settlement filed Tuesday in California federal court, Apple did not admit any wrongdoing, but agreed to a deal that will resolve claims in a large consolidated class action lawsuit filed last year.

From BBC ● May 5, 2026

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

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