mid·dle-class
ˌmi-dᵊl-ˈklas 
: of or relating to the middle class
especially
: characterized by a high material standard of living, sexual morality, and respect for property
a typical middle-class family
traditional middle-class values
: a class occupying a position between the upper class and the lower class
especially
: a fluid heterogeneous socioeconomic grouping composed principally of business and professional people, bureaucrats, and some farmers and skilled workers sharing common social characteristics and values
Examples of middle-class in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Angelique Jackson, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
Born in 1938 to a middle-class Jewish family in New Jersey, Blume was encouraged by her parents to read broadly, exercise her creativity, and live without any shame about the human body.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 8 Apr. 2026
Quil Lawrence, NPR, 2 Apr. 2026
What income is required to be considered middle class in Oklahoma?
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for middle-class
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Adjective
After the Eaton Fire reduces Altadena, CA, a historically Black town and California’s first Black middle-class community, to ash, three childhood friends confront loss, legacy, and lead their community’s fight to rebuild.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
Born in 1938 to a middle-class Jewish family in New Jersey, Blume was encouraged by her parents to read broadly, exercise her creativity, and live without any shame about the human body.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
That's just what the VA loan is supposed to be — a life-changing benefit to give veterans a leg up into the middle class and homeownership.
—Quil Lawrence, NPR, 2 Apr. 2026
What income is required to be considered middle class in Oklahoma?
—Isa Almeida, Oklahoman, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for middle-class
Cite this Entry
“Middle-class.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/middle-class. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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