Classifying Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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classifying

[ˈklasɪfaɪɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

data analysis

To arrange or organize into categories or groups based on similar characteristics or properties.

Synonyms

categorize, group, organize, sort.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
classifying

When you need to place items or ideas into distinct groups based on shared characteristics.

  • Scientists are classifying insects into different species
  • The librarian is classifying the books according to their genres
categorize

To label or name different groups of things to make it easier to understand them.

  • We need to categorize the expenses to see where our money is going
  • Teachers often categorize student performance into levels like 'excellent' or 'needs improvement'
group

When gathering similar items or people together without necessarily using formal criteria.

  • The children are grouped by their age
  • The manager grouped the tasks based on their urgency
sort

To arrange items in a particular order, often by their value or size.

  • He likes to sort his coins by year
  • Let's sort these files alphabetically
organize

To arrange items or plans in a structured, orderly way.

  • She needs to organize her desk before she can start working
  • We should organize the meeting to discuss the new project

Examples of usage

  • Classifying the data will help us understand patterns and trends.
  • The algorithm is capable of automatically classifying new data points.
  • We need to develop a system for classifying different types of customers.
Context #2 | Verb

taxonomy

To assign a taxonomic classification to an organism or species based on specific criteria.

Synonyms

arrange, assign, categorize, sort.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
classifying

Used when you need to systematically arrange or organize something based on specific criteria.

  • The scientist spent the afternoon classifying different types of insects.
  • We are classifying the documents according to their level of importance.
assign

Used when you are designating tasks, roles, or giving specific responsibilities to people or things.

  • The teacher will assign the homework for the weekend.
  • They assigned the new project to the junior team.
categorize

Used when you need to place items or people into categories based on shared characteristics or themes.

  • The librarian will help you categorize these books by genre.
  • We need to categorize the expenses for the annual report.
sort

Used when you are arranging items in a systematic order, typically based on size, type, or alphabetical order. Informal compared to 'classifying' or 'categorize'.

  • Please help me sort these papers into piles.
  • They sorted the recyclables into separate bins.
arrange

Typically used when you are putting things in a particular order or position, usually in a physical or organized space.

  • She arranged the books on the shelf by size.
  • He helped arrange the chairs for the meeting.

Examples of usage

  • The biologist spent hours classifying the newly discovered species.
  • The classification system helps in efficiently classifying organisms into different groups.
  • Each specimen is carefully classified according to its characteristics.
Context #3 | Verb

machine learning

To train a machine learning model to predict or assign labels to new data based on existing patterns.

Synonyms

assign, categorize, identify, predict.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
classifying

This is used when you need to systematically organize things into categories or groups based on common characteristics.

  • Classifying the books by genre makes it easier to find what you want.
  • The scientist is classifying the plant species based on their physical traits.
predict

This word is used when you are making an educated guess about what might happen in the future based on current knowledge or data.

  • The weather service can predict the likelihood of rain for tomorrow.
  • It's hard to predict how the stock market will perform.
assign

This is typically used when you are allocating tasks or roles to people or things.

  • The manager will assign tasks to each team member.
  • The teacher will assign homework at the end of the lesson.
categorize

This is often used in a similar sense to 'classifying' but tends to be more informal and can be used in everyday situations.

  • You can categorize these files by date to keep them organized.
  • It's easier to categorize the expenses to track where your money is going.
identify

This is used when you need to recognize or ascertain the nature of something.

  • It's important to identify the problem before trying to solve it.
  • Can you identify the person in this photograph?

Examples of usage

  • The model is continuously learning and classifying new data points.
  • Classifying images based on features is a common task in computer vision.
  • The algorithm classifies emails into spam or non-spam categories.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Science

  • In biology, classifying helps scientists group organisms to study their relationships and evolution.
  • The Linnaean system of classification, developed by Carl Linnaeus, is a foundational method still used today, categorizing organisms from kingdom down to species.
  • Classifying can be crucial in medicine to differentiate between diseases and conditions for accurate diagnosis.

Education

  • Educators use classifying strategies to help students learn by grouping knowledge into topics, which enhances memory retention.
  • In classrooms, students might classify animals into categories like mammals, reptiles, and birds to understand the diversity of life.
  • Classifying information also aids in developing critical thinking and analytical skills among learners.

Technology

  • In computer science, classifying algorithms are used in machine learning to sort data into different categories based on patterns.
  • Artificial Intelligence systems often use classification to identify objects in images or speech in audio files.
  • The advent of big data has led to increased importance of classification in data analysis and decision-making.

Psychology

  • Humans naturally classify information to make sense of the world, impacting how we perceive and interact with our environment.
  • Cognitive psychology studies how categorizing influences memory, learning, and problem-solving.
  • Schema theory suggests that mental frameworks help us classify new information based on our previous experiences and knowledge.

Origin of 'classifying'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'classificare', meaning 'to arrange in classes'.
  • In the late 19th century, the term began to be widely used in biological sciences to describe the organization of living things.
  • Over time, its usage expanded into various fields such as library science and data organization.

The word 'classifying' originates from the Latin word 'classificare,' which means to divide into classes. The concept of classification has been fundamental in various fields such as science, data analysis, and taxonomy. The process of classifying helps in organizing information, identifying patterns, and making predictions based on similarities. Over time, advancements in technology have led to the development of machine learning algorithms that automate the process of classifying data. The importance of classifying information efficiently continues to be relevant in modern society.


See also: classifiable, classifier, classifies, declassify, misclassify, unclassify.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,277, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.