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

Costco’s famed $4.99 rotisserie chicken is under fire in a proposed class action lawsuit claiming that the big box warehouse falsely advertised that its birds were preservative free.

From Los Angeles Times

The claim has been brought as a class action lawsuit rather than an individual case - meaning if it is approved, the money will be paid out across many different claimants.

From BBC

One bill would establish a procedure for bringing class actions in state courts.

From The Wall Street Journal

Since then, thousands of residents have filed class action lawsuits against Tepco and the Japanese government, demanding compensation for property damage, emotional distress and health problems allegedly linked to radiation exposure.

From BBC

Another box they need ticked is the resolution of the outstanding class actions against the company.

From The Wall Street Journal