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 significant consolidated class action lawsuit is ongoing in the Eastern District of New York.

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

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

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