What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
triage
Example
The hospital staff used triage to determine which patients needed immediate attention. [triage: noun]
Example
The emergency responders had to triage the situation and decide which areas needed the most help. [triage: verb]
classification
Example
The books in the library were classified according to genre and author. [classification: noun]
Example
The scientist classified the specimens based on their physical characteristics. [classified: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Classification is more commonly used than triage in everyday language, as it can be applied to various fields and contexts. Triage is more specific to emergency situations and is less commonly used outside of medical or emergency contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between triage and classification?
Classification is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while triage is typically associated with a more formal and serious tone due to its association with emergency situations.