category

noun

cat·​e·​go·​ry ˈka-tə-ˌgȯr-ē 

plural categories

1

: any of several fundamental and distinct classes to which entities or concepts belong

Taxpayers fall into one of several categories.

2

: a division within a system of classification

She competed for the award in her age category.

Synonyms of category

• type
• kind

Examples of category in a Sentence

The cars belong to the same category.

Taxpayers fall into one of several categories.

She competed for the award in her age category.

Recent Examples on the Web

Standard rooms are compact but well laid out; higher categories offer more breathing space and better natural light. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Mar. 2026

It is nominated in the best live action short category at the upcoming Oscars and Knight recently told Deadline about his plans for a feature length version of his film. —Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 2 Mar. 2026

Too many micro-categories can make systems harder to follow. —Julianna Chen, Dallas Morning News, 2 Mar. 2026

Defenseman Andrew Peeke seems to be in a different category. —Stephen Conroy, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin categoria, from Greek katēgoria predication, category, from katēgorein to accuse, affirm, predicate, from kata- + agora public assembly, from ageirein to gather

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for category

• allegory
• amatory
• auditory
• clerestory
• crematory
• desultory
• dilatory
• dormitory
• excretory
• extempore
• feudatory
• gustatory

Kids Definition

category

noun

cat·​e·​go·​ry ˈkat-ə-ˌgōr-ē 

-ˌgȯr-

plural categories

1

: one of the divisions or groupings used in a system of classification

"species" and "genus" are biological categories

2

: class entry 1 sense 3a, kind