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class

[ klas, klahs ]

/ klæs, klɑs /

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noun

a number of persons or things regarded as forming a group by reason of common attributes, characteristics, qualities, or traits; kind; sort: a class of objects used in daily living.

a group of students meeting regularly to study a subject under the guidance of a teacher: The class had arrived on time for the lecture.

the period during which a group of students meets for instruction.

a meeting of a group of students for instruction.

a classroom.

a number of pupils in a school, or of students in a college, pursuing the same studies, ranked together, or graduated in the same year: She graduated from Ohio State, class of '72.

a social stratum sharing basic economic, political, or cultural characteristics, and having the same social position: Artisans form a distinct class in some societies.

the system of dividing society; caste.

social rank, especially high rank.

the members of a given group in society, regarded as a single entity.

any division of persons or things according to rank or grade: Hotels were listed by class, with the most luxurious ones listed first.

excellence; exceptional merit: She's a good performer, but she lacks class.

Hinduism. any of the four social divisions, the Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaisya, and Shudra, of Hindu society; varna.Compare caste (def. 2).

Informal. elegance, grace, or dignity, as in dress and behavior: He may be a slob, but his brother has real class.

any of several grades of accommodations available on ships, airplanes, and the like: We bought tickets for first class.

Informal. the best or among the best of its kind: This new plane is the class of the wide-bodied airliners.

Biology. the usual major subdivision of a phylum or division in the classification of organisms, usually consisting of several orders.

British University. any of three groups into which candidates for honors degrees are divided according to merit on the basis of final examinations.

drafted or conscripted soldiers, or persons available for draft or conscription, all of whom were born in the same year.

Grammar. form class.

Ecclesiastical. classis.

(in early Methodism) one of several small companies, each composed of about 12 members under a leader, into which each society or congregation was divided.

Statistics. a group of measurements that fall within a specified interval.

Mathematics. a set; a collection.

the classes, the higher ranks of society, as distinguished from the masses.

adjective

Informal. of high quality, integrity, status, or style: class players on a mediocre team.

verb (used with object)

to place or arrange in a class; classify: to class justice with wisdom.

verb (used without object)

to take or have a place in a particular class: those who class as believers.

Verb Phrases

class up, Informal. to improve the quality, tone, or status of; add elegance, dignity, style, etc., to: The new carpet and curtains really class up this room.

OTHER WORDS FOR class

27 group, categorize, type, rank, rate.

See synonyms for class on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of class

First recorded in 1590–1600; earlier classis, plural classes, from Latin: “class, division, fleet, army”; singular class back formation from plural

grammar notes for class

See collective noun.

OTHER WORDS FROM class

class·a·ble, adjectiveclasser, nounmis·class, verbre·class, verb (used with object)

un·class·a·ble, adjectiveun·classed, adjectivewell-classed, adjective

Other definitions for class (2 of 2)

class.

abbreviation

classic.

classical.

classification.

classified.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use class in a sentence

For a while yoga and pilates classes were sought out at luxury gyms like Equinox.
How Taryn Toomey’s ‘The Class’ Became New York’s Latest Fitness Craze|Lizzie Crocker|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
We indulge in expensive cold-pressed juices and SoulCycle classes, justifying these purchases as investments in our health.
How Taryn Toomey’s ‘The Class’ Became New York’s Latest Fitness Craze|Lizzie Crocker|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Such is her burgeoning popularity Toomey is looking to employ more instructors to lead her highly personalized exercise classes.
How Taryn Toomey’s ‘The Class’ Became New York’s Latest Fitness Craze|Lizzie Crocker|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Many hold classes in their living rooms, asking students to help re-arrange and then later put back furniture.
Iran’s Becoming a Footloose Nation as Dance Lessons Spread|IranWire|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST

But underground classes have Persians getting with the beat.
Iran’s Becoming a Footloose Nation as Dance Lessons Spread|IranWire|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
It was generally lauded by Spaniards, whilst it filled all classes of natives with indignation.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
It was principally confined to the lower classes, and was common among soldiers and sailors.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
Still another kind of war credit bank was created on the co-operative plan to assist the middle and lower classes.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
The morning to sleep, the afternoon to business and the evening to enjoyment, seems the usual routine with the favored classes.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley
Men of the higher classes keep two or three servants to attend to their pipes.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.

British Dictionary definitions for class

class

/ (klɑːs) /

noun

a collection or division of people or things sharing a common characteristic, attribute, quality, or property

a group of persons sharing a similar social position and certain economic, political, and cultural characteristics

(in Marxist theory) a group of persons sharing the same relationship to the means of production

the pattern of divisions that exist within a society on the basis of rank, economic status, etc
(as modifier)the class struggle; class distinctions

a group of pupils or students who are taught and study together
a meeting of a group of students for tuition

mainly US a group of students who graduated in a specified yearthe class of '53

(in combination and as modifier) British a grade of attainment in a university honours degreesecond-class honours

one of several standards of accommodation in public transportSee also first class, second class, third class

informal excellence or elegance, esp in dress, design, or behaviourthat girl's got class
(as modifier)a class act

outstanding speed and stamina in a racehorse
(as modifier)the class horse in the race

biology any of the taxonomic groups into which a phylum is divided and which contains one or more orders. Amphibia, Reptilia, and Mammalia are three classes of phylum Chordata

maths logic

another name for set 2 (def. 3)
proper class a class which cannot itself be a member of other classes

in a class of its own or in a class by oneself unequalled; unparalleled

verb

to have or assign a place within a group, grade, or class

Derived forms of class

classable, adjectiveclasser, noun

Word Origin for class

C17: from Latin classis class, rank, fleet; related to Latin calāre to summon

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for class

class

[ klăs ]

A taxonomic category of organisms ranking above an order and below a phylum or division. In modern taxonomic schemes, the names of classes end in -phyceae for the various groups of algae, -mycetes for fungi, and -opsida for plants (as in Liliopsida, the class of plants also termed monocotyledons). The names of classes belonging to phyla of the animal kingdom, however, are formed in various ways, as Osteichthyes the bony fishes, Aves, the birds, and Mammalia, the mammals, all of which are classes belonging to the subphylum Vertebrata (the vertebrates) in the phylum Chordata. See Table at taxonomy.

Cultural definitions for class (1 of 2)

class

A group of people sharing the same social, economic, or occupational status. The term class usually implies a social and economic hierarchy, in which those of higher class standing have greater status, privilege, prestige, and authority. Western societies have traditionally been divided into three classes: the upper or leisure class, the middle class (bourgeoisie), and the lower or working class. For Marxists, the significant classes are the bourgeoisie and the proletariat (see also proletariat).

Cultural definitions for class (2 of 2)

class

In biology, the classification beneath a phylum and above an order. (See Linnean classification.)

notes for class

Mammals, reptiles, and insects are classes.

Other Idioms and Phrases with class

class

see cut class.

class

OTHER WORDS FOR class

Origin of class

grammar notes for class

OTHER WORDS FROM class

Other definitions for class (2 of 2)

Words related to class

How to use class in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for class

Derived forms of class

Word Origin for class

Scientific definitions for class

Cultural definitions for class (1 of 2)

Cultural definitions for class (2 of 2)

notes for class

Other Idioms and Phrases with class