From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishclassclass1 /klɑːs $ klæs/ ●●● S1 W1 noun 1 IN A SOCIETYsocial group a) [countable]CLASS IN SOCIETY one of the groups in a society that different types of people are divided into according to their jobs, income, education etc a member of the landed class (=people who own land) → lower class, middle class, upper class, working class, → the chattering classes at chatter1(4) b) [uncountable]CLASS IN SOCIETY the system in which people are divided into these groups Defining the concept of class is not an easy task. The class system is slowly disappearing.2 GROUP OF STUDENTSstudents [countable]SECLASS/GROUP OF STUDENTS a) a group of students who are taught together → classmatein a class We’re in the same class for chemistry. Gary came top of the class in English. My class are going to the science museum. b) American English a group of students who finished studying together in the same year → classmate a class reunionthe class of 1965/2001 etc (=the group of students who finished in 1965 etc) The class of '69 spent almost as much time protesting as learning.GRAMMAR: Singular or plural verb?• Class is usually followed by a singular verb: The class was working on some maths problems.• In British English, you can also use a plural verb: The class were working on some maths problems.3 TEACHING PERIODteaching period [countable, uncountable]SE a period of time during which someone teaches a group of people, especially in a school SYN lesson British English I missed Bible class last week.in class (=during the class) No talking in class! He was injured in a science class.4 LESSONSstudying [countable]CLASS/LESSON a series of classes in a particular subject SYN course British Englishclass in a class in photography at night school a dance class Cindy’s taking a class on dealing with stress.5 OF ANIMALS/PLANTS ETCsame type of something [countable]HB a group of people, animals, or things that are considered together because they are similar in some wayclass of Have you passed a test for this class of vehicle? 6 train/aircraft etc [countable usually singular] one of the different standards of seats, food etc available on a train, aircraft etcfirst/business/tourist etc class We always travel first class.7 QUALITYquality [countable] a group into which people or things are divided according to their quality or abilitiesnicer/better etc class of something The port now attracts a wealthier class of visitor.in a class of its own/in a different class (=better than everything else) Its sheer versatility puts this computer in a different class. He’s not in the same class (=not as good) as her at tennis.8 STYLEstyle/skill [uncountable] informalGOOD AT a high level of style or skill in something → classyhave/show class The team showed real class in this afternoon’s match. A fountain will give your garden a touch of class.class player/actress etca class act informal (=someone who is skilful, attractive etc) Laughton is a class act who’s proved his worth in the game. → high-class, low-class9 DEGREEuniversity degree [countable] British EnglishSEC one of the three levels of a university degree a second class degreeCOLLOCATIONS – Meaning 1: adjectivessocial classIs there a link between crime and social class?the working/lower classAt this time most of the working class was very poor.the middle classA new middle class emerged after the war.the upper classMembers of the upper class didn’t have to work.the ruling class (=the people in power)For a long time, French was the language of the ruling class.the professional class (=the people with professional jobs)Doctors, lawyers, and teachers are all members of the professional class.the landowning/landed class (=the people who own land)This imposition of taxes angered the landed classes.the educated classThe educated classes shared certain values and experiences.the privileged class (=people with advantages because of their wealth, social position etc)Holidays abroad used to be only for the rich and privileged classes.verbsbelong to a classLike you, I belong to the working class.be a member of a classI suppose I’m a member of the middle class.class + NOUNa class system/structure (=a social system that has classes)He felt he was a victim of the class system.a class divisionNowadays, class divisions are related to economic status.class differences (=differences that exist because of your class)There are noticeable class differences in family size.the class struggle/war (=disagreement or fighting between different classes)the class struggle between workers and capitalistsclass conflictThis is the basis of class conflict in capitalist society.class consciousness (=being aware of what class people belong to)There is a high level of class consciousness among the workers. THESAURUSclass a group of students or schoolchildren who are taught togetherThere are twenty kids in the class.She gets along well with the other children in her class.I’m going out with some friends from my dance class.'I graduated in 1999.' 'What class were you in?'background the type of home and family you come from, and its social classThe school takes kids from all sorts of backgrounds.We come from the same town and share a similar background. | working-class/middle-class etc backgroundThe organization helps children from working-class backgrounds to go to university.middle-class belonging to the class of people who are usually well educated, fairly rich, and who work in jobs which they have trained to do. For example, doctors, lawyers, and managers are middle-classThe newspaper’s readers are mostly middle class.They live in a middle-class neighbourhood on the edge of town.white-collar someone who works in an office, not a factory, mine etc: white-collar worker/job/employeeThe economic recession has put many white-collar workers in danger of losing their jobs.working-class belonging to the class of people who do not have much money or power, and who have jobs where they do physical work. For example, factory workers, builders, and drivers are working-classMost of the people who live round here are working class.I come from a working-class family – I’m the first one to graduate from college.blue-collar someone who does physical work, for example in a factory or a mine, and does not work in an office: blue-collar worker/job/employeeHis political support comes mainly from blue-collar workers.upper-class belonging to the class of people who originally had most of the money and power, especially families that own a lot of landMost senior politicians in the UK are from upper-class families.He spoke with an upper-class accent.underclass the lowest social class, who are very poor and may not have jobs, homes etcThe government has created an underclass who do not feel they have any rights in society. COLLOCATIONS – Meanings 3 & 4ADJECTIVES/NOUN + classa French/geography/history etc classI have a history class at nine o'clock today.an evening classMum goes to an evening class on Tuesdays.a beginners’/elementary/intermediate/advanced class (=teaching different levels of a subject)An advanced class might be available.verbsgo to/attend a classI’ve got to go to a science class now.attend class (=go to classes regularly)You can’t pass your exams if you don’t attend class.take a class (=go to classes as a student)I’m taking some art classes at the moment.teach a classOne of the other teachers was ill so I taught her class.miss a class (=not go to one)Students who miss classes get behind with their work.be late for classDavid was late for class again.have a class especially American English (=as a student or teacher)What classes do you have this morning?hold a class (=provide a class)Evening classes are held in the local school.
Examples from the Corpus
class• My dad's going to his 40th class reunion this year.• French is one of a class of languages known as the Romance languages.• See, I spent two years of core classes and you get to meet all the professors.• I'm going out with some friends from my dance class.• The treaty called for the elimination of an entire class of nuclear weapons.• Ten years ago, fewer than 100 Harvard students took entrepreneur classes, he said.• Let's go - I have my first class in 10 minutes!• Heidi fainted during French class today!• She gets along well with the other children in her class.• After they had used swear words once in class, he argued, they would never use them again.• Moreover, there is no doubt that in large classes this practice can ease the burden on the class teacher.• the professional and managerial classes• The Republicans are promising tax cuts for the middle class.• I was talking to a girl in my class about the math homework.• Doctors are reluctant to prescribe a new class of drugs, especially ones which need to be taken for long periods of time.• When's your next class?• The old class system is slowly disappearing.• Success in this country seems to be based on class rather than on ability.• People were excluded from education based on class and race.• One day I changed from second class to high class.• Today we only had a small class of ten people.• There is a clear link between social class and educational achievement.• Marxism, my friend, has studied economics and the social classes.• Special classes of applicant Like other institutions the Polytechnic has paid increased attention to the recruitment of overseas students in recent years.• Some people argue that class distinctions do not exist in the U.S., but this is untrue.• But all important ones must pass through that process, and ours certainly falls into that class.• There are twenty kids in the class.• I graduated in 1999. What class were you in?in a class• For anything up to £500, this place can fix you up with a fashion accessory in a class of its own.• I have never had anyone query this before, but some one did in class last year.• Not even seeing them onstage, just in class, and there I was, eyes like saucers.• The cultural divisions displayed in Table 6.1 are presented by Nizan in class terms.• Students who gagged at the farrago Jeffries was spooning out knew better than to let on in class.• Meanwhile, Sabino High, top-ranked in Class 4A, was beaten by Tempe and knocked out of the playoffs.• Frye saw this same commitment in some of the immigrant students in class.• But a great many of them are deeply damaged and turn up in class with all kinds of emotional and behavioural disorders.in class• I'm sure we read that article in class.class in• a class in computer designfirst/business/tourist etc class• One-way full fares are $ 139 second class, $ 199 first class.• Her misery was made complete because she was separated from her two sons who were flying first class.• The breakfast that is included is first class, and the hotel also serves fabulous dinners.• We were one of the first classes to get instrument training.• Most examinees belong to the first class, most examiners to the third.• The first class Regency Restaurant is one of the most elegant in Brighton and Hove.• I upgraded to first class and ranted when a negroni could not be provided.nicer/better etc class of something• By helping teachers to set real-life problems for pupils, employers get a better class of recruit.• I shall vote Tory because they have a better class of cliché.• Always fly economy-you sit next to a better class of people.• A nicer class of people than what you ... what I meet ... met in the ordinary way.• No, they suffer from an altogether different, better class of marital breakdown.• The young Francis had been educated with the sons of the better class of tradesmen.• I am conversant with Gibbon, Toynbee, your better class of historians.have/show class• He was due to be put down because he did not have the right ears for a show class pedigree corgi.• Many science teachers already have classes in excess of 25 pupils.• Skischools nearly always have classes for expert skiers which explore the mountains with their instructors.• At this stage its members have class consciousness and class solidarity.• Oh we have cards, we have classes.• Now, just okay now do you have class tonight.• Have a good evening. 1904 How can you, you have class tomorrow night?classclass2 ●●○ verb [transitive] THINK ABOUTto consider people, things etc as belonging to a particular group, using an official system SYN classifyclass somebody/something as something Heroin and cocaine are classed as hard drugs.Grammar Class is often passive.→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
class• This prison houses the most dangerous criminals in Britain, those classed as "category A'.• Respondent: No I wouldn't, I wouldn't class them as being Northumbrians.class somebody/something as something• Stewart's books are classed as romantic mysteries.From Longman Business Dictionaryclassclass /klɑːsklæs/ noun [countable]1one of the groups that society can be divided into according to their jobs, income etcthe professional classesSocial class 4 consists of semi-skilled manual occupations.a working-class area of the city2a particular quality of product or serviceMany more women are now buying their own luxury class jewellery.Boeing 767s have 174 seats — 14 for first class, 30 for business class, and 130 for economy class.3a particular type of product or serviceThe company is developing a new class of pharmaceuticals based on nucleotides.4FINANCE a particular type of a company’s liabilities, or the people to whom they are owedOne class of secured creditors will receive 95% of the face value of their bonds.5FINANCE class A/B etc shares different types of shares in a company whose owners have different rights in the company, for example different voting rights and different rights to be repaid if the company goes bankruptGoogle said it planned to sell 14.16 million of its Class A shares.Origin class1 (1500-1600) French classe, from Latin classis “class of citizens, social class” 