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

Noun

• canon
• checklist
• list
• listing
• menu
• register
• registry
• roll
• roll call
• roster
• schedule
• table

Verb

• enroll
• enrol
• enter
• index
• inscribe
• list
• put down
• record
• register
• schedule
• slate

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

Following the announcement of his forthcoming album Britpop, Robbie Williams was awarded the PRS for Music Icon Award in honor of his extensive songwriting catalog. —Thomas Smith, Billboard, 22 May 2025

That’s more than 200 years before the ancient Greek astronomer Hipparchus made his star catalog, which has long been considered the world’s oldest. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 May 2025

Verb

The park is now a stop for the more adventurous sightseers, or researchers cataloging the species that call the island home. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 12 May 2025

The other, a spacecraft sometimes cataloged as V-71 No. 671, did not. —Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 9 May 2025

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