catalog

1 of 2

noun

cat·​a·​log ˈka-tə-ˌlȯg 

-ˌläg

variants or catalogue

1

: list, register

a catalog of the band's songs

2

a

: a complete enumeration of items arranged systematically with descriptive details

a catalog of the company's products

b

: a pamphlet or book that contains such a list

a mail-order catalog

a university catalog

c

: material in such a list

catalog

2 of 2

verb

variants or catalogue

cataloged or catalogued; cataloging or cataloguing

transitive verb

1

: to make a catalog of

catalog a collection of books

2

a

: to enter in a catalog

b

: to classify (something, such as books or information) descriptively

Scientific monographs are cataloged into a database that will be available to researchers.

intransitive verb

1

: to make or work on a catalog

2

: to become listed in a catalog at a specified price

this stamp catalogs at $2

cataloger noun

or cataloguer

Synonyms of catalog

Noun

• list
• listing

Verb

• list
• record
• enter
• index

Examples of catalog in a Sentence

Noun

The band played many songs from their catalog of hits.

a catalog of music album titles

Verb

They use the computer to catalog books.

The chart catalogs the results of each test.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Clusters of geothermal pools can be found in western states like Colorado and New Mexico, but none represent as important a milestone in the National Park Service catalog as Hot Springs National Park. —Alex Schechter, Travel + Leisure, 14 Jan. 2026

With the agreement, the company now owns and administers Big Yellow Dog’s catalog of songs and serves as full-service publisher for its roster of songwriters. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 13 Jan. 2026

Verb

But that was back before computers had mapped every valley and cataloged ever face. —Literary Hub, 16 Jan. 2026

At another congressional hearing on the subject last spring, Ellis cataloged the dizzying range of projects that have cemented China’s position. —Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English cathaloge, cateloge, from Middle French catalogue, from Late Latin catalogus, from Greek katalogos, from katalegein to list, enumerate, from kata- + legein to gather, speak — more at legend

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing catalog

• card catalog
• mail-order catalog

Kids Definition

catalog

1 of 2 noun

cat·​a·​log

variants or catalogue

ˈkat-ᵊl-ˌȯg 

-ˌäg

1

: a list of names, titles, or articles arranged according to a system

2

: a book or file containing a catalog

catalog

2 of 2 verb

variants or catalogue

cataloged or catalogued; cataloging or cataloguing

1

: to make a catalog of

2

: to enter in a catalog

catalog books

cataloger noun

or cataloguer

-ˈȯ-gər, 

-ˈä-gər