class

 
Pronunciation: /klɑːs/

noun

  • 1a set or category of things having some property or attribute in common and differentiated from others by kind, type, or quality: it has good accommodation for a hotel of this class a new class of heart drug
  • Biology a principal taxonomic grouping that ranks above order and below phylum or division, such as Mammalia or Insecta.
  • British a division of candidates according to merit in a university examination: he received a third class in literae humaniores
  • 2 [mass noun] a system of ordering society whereby people are divided into sets based on perceived social or economic status: people who are socially disenfranchised by class [as modifier]: the class system
  • [count noun] a social division based on social or economic status: the ruling class
  • (the classes) archaic the rich or educated.
  • informal impressive stylishness in appearance or behaviour: she’s got class—she looks like a princess
  • 3a group of students or pupils who are taught together: selected pupils act as representatives for the whole class
  • an occasion when pupils meet with their teacher for instruction; a lesson: I was late for a class
  • a course of instruction: I took classes in Indian music
  • chiefly North American all of the college or school students of a particular year: the class of 1999

verb

[with object] (often be classed as)
  • assign or regard as belonging to a particular category: conduct which is classed as criminal

adjective

[attributive] informal
  • showing stylish excellence: he’s a class player

Phrases

class A (or B or C) drug

an illegal narcotic drug classified as being of the most harmful and addictive (or a less harmful and addictive) kind, possession or sale of which incurs corresponding legal penalties.

class act

informal a person or thing displaying impressive and stylish excellence: the writing and the look of the magazine make it a real class act

a class apart

much better than others of a similar kind: his songs were definitely a class apart

in a class of its (or one's) own

unequalled, especially in excellence or performance: British advertising is in a class of its own for inventiveness

Origin:

mid 16th century (in class (sense 3 of the noun)): from Latin classis 'a division of the Roman people, a grade, or a class of pupils'