1 a [count] : a group of students who meet regularly to be taught a subject or activity
▪ There are 20 students in the class. ▪ Several people in the class are absent today. ◊In U.S. English, class is used with a singular verb.
▪ The class is going on a field trip. In British English, class can also be used with a plural verb. ▪ The class are going on a field trip.
b [count] : a series of meetings in which students are taught a particular subject or activity : a course of instruction
▪ This class is really difficult. ▪ He will be teaching an American history class next semester. ▪ The college offers classes in computer programming and engineering. ▪ She is taking a class on psychology. ▪ taking dance class ▪ What classes are you taking this semester?
c : one of the meetings in which students are taught a particular subject or activity [count] ▪ I have an English class this morning. ▪ My class got out early today. ▪ I have already missed two classes. ▪ Read chapters 10 through 20 for the next class. [noncount] ▪ I'm late for class. ▪ Let's meet after class. ▪ Class starts at 8:00 a.m. ▪ What did you learn in class today? ▪ He got in trouble for talking during/in class.
d [count] US : a group of students who finish their education at a particular school at the same time : students who graduate together
▪ She's a member of the class of 2006. ▪ the freshman class [=the group of students who are freshmen this year and will eventually graduate together] ▪ She's running for class president. 2 a [count] : a group of people in a society who are at the same economic and social level
▪ the ruling/professional class ▪ the higher/lower social classes — often used before another noun ▪ class distinctions ▪ a class struggle
b [noncount] : the way people in a society are divided into different social and economic groups
▪ a discussion about class and race 3 [noncount] a : a quality that makes something or someone seem special and attractive
▪ The hotel has class. [=it is very elegant] ▪ The candles on the table added a touch of class. — see also first-class, high-class, world-class
b : a quality that makes someone seem very good, kind, etc.
▪ She showed a lot of class by donating her prize money to charity. — see also class act, classy 4 [count] a : a group of people or things that are similar in some way
▪ Do you have a license to drive this class of vehicle? ▪ a new class [=kind, type] of nuclear submarine ▪ There are many good players here, but she is in a different class altogether. [=she is far better than the other good players] ◊If you are in a class by yourself or in a class of your own, you are very different from others in a good or bad way.
▪ There have been a lot of corporate scandals but this one is in a class by itself. [=worse than all the others] ▪ As an architect, she is in a class by herself. [=she has exceptional talent as an architect]
b : one of the sections of seats on an airplane, train, etc.
▪ I am traveling business class. [=in a section of an airplane that is more comfortable and expensive than the main section but less comfortable and expensive than first class] — see also first class, second class, third class, tourist class 5 [count] Brit : one of the levels of a university degree