classis

American  

[klas-is] / ˈklæs ɪs /

noun

• classes
  plural

1. the organization of pastors and elders that governs a group of local churches; a presbytery.

2. the group of churches governed by such an organization.

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classis British  

/ ˈklæsɪs /

noun

1. a governing body of elders or pastors

2. the district or group of local churches directed by such a body

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• classes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of classis

1585–95; < Latin: class

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

classis classes

Upon this overture the first classis struck out their lines, and drew mostly by the portrait of Geneva.

From Notes and Queries, Number 212, November 19, 1853 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by George Bell

The next higher power, administrative or judicial, resided in the classis, consisting of all the ministers in a given district and one elder from each parish therein, and corresponding to the presbytery.

From Narratives of New Netherland, 1609-1664 by J. Franklin (John Franklin) Jameson

Those who were able to provide themselves with the armor necessary for taking their place in the phalanx formed the classis or “levy.”

From A History of Rome to 565 A. D. by Arthur Edward Romilly Boak

The third classis quarrelled with the corrections of the second, and declared for a new model.

From Notes and Queries, Number 212, November 19, 1853 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by George Bell

There was a praefectus classis Comensis under the late empire, and it was regarded as a strong fortress.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 7 "Columbus" to "Condottiere" by Various

Local women, fearful at the prospect of suddenly being far outnumbered by men they don’t know, are taking self-defense classes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026

He’s been so rocked by recent tech layoffs over the past few years that he began taking part-time nursing classes at a local community college.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 16, 2026

Linda Crawford started coming to the classes in St Ouen's Parish Hall nine months ago.

From BBC ● Sep. 16, 2026

"The return to classes will be gradual and safe, focusing primarily on the emotional well-being not only of our students but also of our staff," the principal Marco Antonio Espinoza said.

From Barron's ● Sep. 15, 2026

Mrs. Dithers comes over the intercom and calls for two more homeroom classes to come for their photos.

From "Popcorn" by Rob Harrell