Word
classification
Meanings
the process of sorting or organizing things into groups based on shared characteristics
a system or set of categories used to group things in a particular area of study or work
the category or group that something is assigned to after being sorted
Definition
Classification is the act of organizing things into groups based on shared features.
Classification is a way of arranging items, ideas, or information into categories according to common characteristics. People use it to make complex material easier to understand, compare, and retrieve. A good classification system uses clear criteria so that each group is consistent and meaningful.
Examples
- The researcher revised the classification after noticing that several samples shared unexpected features.
- Our team debated the classification of the new content because it could fit under two different themes.
- Her classification of customer feedback made the patterns in complaints far easier to interpret.
- They challenged the classification used in the report, arguing that the categories were too broad to be useful.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse classification (the process or system) with class (a group or a school lesson) and use the wrong word in academic writing.
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