cat

noun, often attributive

\ ˈkat

Definition of cat

(Entry 1 of 5)

1a : a carnivorous mammal (Felis catus) long domesticated as a pet and for catching rats and mice

b : any of a family (Felidae) of carnivorous usually solitary and nocturnal mammals (such as the domestic cat, lion, tiger, leopard, jaguar, cougar, wildcat, lynx, and cheetah)

2a : guy some young … cat asked me to go drinking with him— Jack Kerouac

b : a player or devotee of jazz

3 : a strong tackle used to hoist an anchor to the cathead of a ship

4a : catboat

b : catamaran

5 : cat-o'-nine-tails

6 : catfish sense 1

7 : a malicious woman especially : one given to making catty remarks about other women

cat

verb

catted; catting

Definition of cat (Entry 2 of 5)

intransitive verb

usually vulgar : to search for a sexual mate —often used with around

transitive verb

: to bring (an anchor) up to the cathead

cat

abbreviation (1)

Definition of cat (Entry 3 of 5)

1 catalog

2 catalyst

Cat

trademark

\ ˈkat

Definition of Cat (Entry 4 of 5)

—used for a Caterpillar tractor

CAT

abbreviation (2)

Definition of CAT (Entry 5 of 5)

1 clean-air turbulence

2 computerized axial tomography

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about cat

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Synonyms for cat

Synonyms: Noun

feline, house cat, kitty, moggy (also moggie) [British], puss, pussy, pussycat

Examples of cat in a Sentence

Noun

I have two dogs and a cat. the family's cat did an exemplary job of keeping the house and yard free of all rodents

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The most common triggers are pathogens (like the common cold and flu viruses), allergens (like pollen or cat dander), and irritants, which can be chemical (like perfume) or physical (like dust), Dr. Voigt says. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "Quick Question: Why Do We Sneeze?," 8 Mar. 2019 Larger cats with bulldozer attachments are used to push log jams out into the river. — Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, "The Lost Art of Floating Logs Down the River," 16 Feb. 2019 Snapshots show the superstar walking down an aisle of the department store in LA, rocking a silky orange jumpsuit, silver shoes, and cat eye sunglasses. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Beyoncé Was Seen Shopping in Target and Chrissy Teigen Had the Perfect Response," 8 Jan. 2019 Tiny Sunglasses:Thanks to the likes of Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner, Kaia Gerber, and more, slip cat eye sunglasses were sold in droves. — Avery Matera, Teen Vogue, "ASOS' Best-Selling Styles of 2018," 4 Jan. 2019 The Vampstamp made achieving a cat-eye fast and simple. — SELF, "5 Eyeliner Hacks That Helped Me Nail a Perfect Cat-Eye," 12 Oct. 2018 The cat-eye design is eye-catching, and the super-lightweight nylon frames have handled a couple drops without issue. — Emily Reed, Outside Online, "My Do-Everything Summer Wardrobe," 21 June 2018 Chopra, 35, looked ready for summer in a chic pink ensemble, accessorizing with a white jacket, cool Python Sella Bag by Tod's and cat eye sunglasses. — Fox News, "Rumored couple Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas snapped at JFK airport together," 9 June 2018 Model Kate Vitamin found another kind of company, twinning with her cat in matching bleach blonde bobs, and game faces on. — Akili King, Vogue, "Best Beauty Instagrams of the Week: Laura Harrier, Tracee Ellis Ross, and More," 10 Feb. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Cat knew how to draw out the best in his son athletically and emotionally. — Joseph Goodman, AL.com, "On Willie Mays, his father and the final childhood summer of the Say Hey Kid," 17 June 2017 Cat Mountain Tr., 1400 block: Theft of property ($100-$750). — Mitch Mitchell, star-telegram.com, "Police report: Suspect in Denton murder back in Texas," 16 June 2017 Cat prowled beneath the shelf, but had no way to reach my little fish. — Elisabeth Egan, chicagotribune.com, "Algren Award finalist: "Water like air" by Rebecca Wurtz," 10 June 2017 Q. How worried should cat owners be about the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, especially with babies in the house? — Karen Weintraub, New York Times, "How Worried Should Cat Owners Be About Toxoplasmosis?," 8 June 2017 Go to Cat Tuong in Kastanienallee for wow-factor vegan/vegetarian Vietnamese dishes— — Alexandra Pereira, Condé Nast Traveler, "How to Enjoy Berlin's Nightlife Like a Local," 8 May 2017 Today, the government is trying hard to eliminate cats from the landscape and is even involved in the invention of new cat poisons and gory things, which are upsetting to cat lovers. — Martin Mejia, National Geographic, "How Cats Clawed Their Way Into Our Hearts," 13 Nov. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cat.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.