Class Meaning
Class Definition & Usage
A social group, typically based on wealth, occupation, or education, that shares common economic or cultural characteristics.
Examples
- "The country is divided into different social classes, with significant disparities between them."
- "In the 19th century, class distinctions were more rigid than they are today."
- "She comes from a lower class background, but she has worked hard to improve her status."
- "The novel explores the tension between the upper and lower classes in Victorian society."
- "Many people struggle to escape their social class due to systemic inequalities."
A group of students who are taught together, or a course of study in an academic institution.
Examples
- "The class is studying the causes of the French Revolution."
- "She has a class on Wednesdays at 2 PM."
- "There were 30 students in his class, and they all performed exceptionally well in the exams."
- "I missed the first class of the semester because of a family emergency."
- "The teacher divided the class into small groups for the project."
A division or rank in a hierarchy, such as a classification in a profession, society, or system.
Examples
- "The company has a class system where senior executives are treated differently from junior staff."
- "The aristocracy formed the highest class in medieval Europe."
- "In some organizations, there are clear class distinctions between managers and workers."
- "The class of the workers is often underestimated in political discourse."
- "In the military, there is a strict class structure based on rank."
A measure of excellence or a standard of quality.
Examples
- "The restaurant is known for its high class and exceptional service."
- "That was a class performance, truly professional."
- "He has a class of his own when it comes to playing the piano."
- "She was raised in a class of luxury and comfort."
- "This wine is of a superior class, sourced from the best vineyards."
To assign someone or something to a particular category or group based on shared characteristics.
Examples
- "The system classifies people according to their income levels."
- "The students were classified into different classes based on their skills."
- "She was classified as a top student in the university."
- "The animals are classified according to their genus and species."
- "The software classifies emails into spam and important categories."
Cultural Context
The word 'class' has evolved over time and holds significant sociological, educational, and cultural implications. It is frequently used in discussions of social inequality, education, and professional hierarchies. Its modern usage can be traced back to the Latin word 'classis,' which referred to a division of the Roman people into groups based on wealth or function.
A Class Apart
Story
A Class Apart
Lily had always been aware of her place in the world. Growing up in a small town, she was part of what many considered the 'lower class.' Her family didn't have much, but they worked hard, and Lily had dreams of changing her circumstances. One day, as she walked to her first college class, she thought about the vast differences between her past and the future she was now stepping into. Her classmate, Adam, had grown up in a completely different environment—one of wealth and privilege. Despite their contrasting backgrounds, the two formed a close friendship. Adam admired Lily’s work ethic, while Lily was fascinated by Adam's ability to navigate the social 'class' system that she had never been a part of. The professor walked in, and the class began. The subject for the day was a discussion of social class in society, and Lily couldn't help but feel that the topic was personal. Adam made a point about how class distinctions were becoming less visible, but Lily disagreed. To her, class was still very real—it was about money, access, and opportunities. She had seen how much harder her family had to work to get by, and how much easier things were for people like Adam. Later, as they left the classroom together, Adam asked Lily if she wanted to join him for dinner at an upscale restaurant. Lily hesitated. She knew that places like that were not her class, but Adam assured her that she belonged. Over dinner, Lily realized that while their classes might differ, they both had a shared goal: to rise above the circumstances they were born into. The evening ended with Adam telling Lily, 'It’s not about class. It’s about how you carry yourself and the decisions you make.' Lily smiled, realizing that, perhaps, class was more about attitude and determination than anything else. As she walked home that night, she felt like she was on her way to becoming part of a new class—the class of people who refused to be defined by their origins.
Related Words
