Final answer:
In a relational database model, a class is defined as a structure representing persons, places, things, transactions, or events about which data is stored, similar to a noun in English.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of a relational database model, a class is commonly understood as a blueprint for creating tables or relations which represent a collection of entities. These entities are best defined by option 2: person, place, thing, transaction, or event about which information is stored. This definition aligns closely with the concept of a noun in English language, which also can represent a person, place, thing, or event.
The properties or attributes of these entities are represented as columns in a table, and each entry or row in the table represents an instance of the entity. For example, in a database for a school, a class could be 'Students', and its instances would include all the individiual students with attributes such as student ID, name, grade level, etc.