classifier

noun

clas·​si·​fi·​er ˈkla-sə-ˌfī(-ə)r How to pronounce classifier (audio)
1
: one that classifies
specifically : a machine for sorting out the constituents of a substance (such as ore)
2
: a word or morpheme used with numerals or with nouns designating countable or measurable objects

Examples of classifier in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The researchers then use classifier guidance at inference time to steer the diffusion model toward objectives that were not included during training. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Aug. 2026 But the version that participated in the Hugging Face breach is different than the version that external users have access to, OpenAI said, because it was configured to run without its standard safeguards and classifiers. — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026 Most parents will never download an AI classifier or visit a GitHub repository. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Researchers had also disabled some of the cyber classifiers that AI model providers built into the models to prevent misuse. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for classifier

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of classifier was in 1799

Rhymes for classifier

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Browse Nearby Words

classified station
classifier
classify
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Cite this Entry

“Classifier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/classifier. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on classifier

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about classifier

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