declassify

[ dee-klas-uh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, de·clas·si·fied, de·clas·si·fy·ing.

1. to remove the classification from (information, a document, etc.) that restricts access in terms of secrecy, confidentiality, etc. Compare classification ( def 5 ).

declassify

/ diːˈklæsɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. tr to release (a document or information) from the security list

Derived Forms

• deˈclassiˌfiable, adjective
• deˌclassifiˈcation, noun

Other Words From

• de·classi·fia·ble adjective
• de·clas·si·fi·ca·tion [dee-klas-, uh, -fi-, key, -sh, uh, n], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of declassify¹

First recorded in 1860–65; de- + classify

Example Sentences

Forty-seven years later, the Air Force declassified the documents.

From ProPublica

A declassified internal OSS assignment from 1946 stated that Eugene Fodor would now have the title “Intelligence Officer.”

From The Daily Beast

As reported by Breaking Defense, Hyten had hoped to use the 2021 Space Symposium conference to declassify a secret space weapon program.

From Popular-Science

New details are emerging all the time, as declassified files come to light and remaining survivors come forward to share their memories—and their secrets.

From Time

Wray promised lawmakers a declassified threat assessment about QAnon would soon be released to the public.

From Time

These experts lobbied to declassify many more than the handful that have thus far been released.

From The Daily Beast

On Friday, the White House said it would like to declassify portions of the 6,300-page document.

From The Daily Beast

Let us take the former vice president up on his demand for documents and declassify them all.

From The Daily Beast

Related Words

• publicize