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

Beyond Green Day, the other two pre-game performers also saw catalog gains following their appearances. —Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 11 Feb. 2026

Spears joins a growing list of accomplished artists that have parted ways with their music catalogs. —Brian Niemietz, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026

Verb

Over the last few years, scientists aboard the research vessel Falkor (too) have spotted rare Antarctic squid, discovered multiple octopus near Costa Rica, and even cataloged over 100 potential new species off the coast of Chile. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 4 Feb. 2026

Astronomer Jonathan McDowell, who tracks thousands of orbital satellites and rockets, said late Monday the errant stage had been cataloged by the Space Force and should reenter Earth’s atmosphere quickly. —Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Feb. 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