definitions

subclass

[ suhb-klas, -klahs ]
/ ˈsʌbˌklæs, -ˌklɑs /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR subclass ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a primary division of a class.
a subordinate class, especially one of persons who lack the rights and privileges of the primary class: a subclass of alien workers.
Biology. a category of related orders within a class.

verb (used with object)

to place in a subclass.

RELATED WORDS

position, line, place, tract, set, family, grade, rank, species, slot, estate, breed, pigeonhole, hierarchy, station, branch, feather, type, sort, description

Nearby words

subchapter, subchaser, subchloride, subchorial space, subcinctorium, subclass, subclassify, subclavate, subclavian, subclavian ansa, subclavian artery

Origin of subclass

First recorded in 1810–20; sub- + class
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for subclass

British Dictionary definitions for subclass

subclass

/ (ˈsʌbˌklɑːs) /

noun

a principal subdivision of a class
biology a taxonomic group that is a subdivision of a class
maths another name for subset (def. 1)

verb

(tr) to assign to a subclass
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

Medicine definitions for subclass

subclass

[ sŭb′klăs′ ]

n.

A taxonomic category of ranking between a class and an order.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for subclass

subclass

[ sŭb′klăs′ ]

A taxonomic category of related organisms ranking below a class and containing one or more orders.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.