catalog

1 of 2

noun

cat·​a·​log ˈka-tə-ˌlȯg How to pronounce catalog (audio)
-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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The previous two Jennings collaborations — 2024’s The Fear of Standing Still and 2020’s Lamentations — are two of Barham’s personal favorites in his entire catalog. Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025 These are the systems, data architecture, and conversational capabilities that let AI agents access their catalog, understand their brand voice, and transact on behalf of customers. Fayez Mohamood, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
Carter’s process begins with detailed scene-by-scene rundowns cataloging locations, times of day, characters, props, graphics, and special effects. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 19 Oct. 2025 He’s succeeded by evolving, in public, from newbie cinephile to expert—a journey he’s tracked by cataloging more than 2,000 movies on Letterboxd. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for catalog

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of catalog was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Catalog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catalog. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

catalog

1 of 2 noun
cat·​a·​log
variants or catalogue
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

More from Merriam-Webster on catalog

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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