category

noun

cat·​e·​go·​ry ˈka-tə-ˌgȯr-ē How to pronounce category (audio)
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.

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
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.
Tariffs and the economic uncertainty haven’t impacted prices too deeply just yet, though May’s inflation inched up more than expected last month, reaching 2.7%, according to the core personal consumption expenditures index—excluding food and energy categories. Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 The second category of safeguards involves imposing restrictions on companies that synthesize nucleic acids. Billy Perrigo, Time, 1 July 2025 The winner will be determined through online voting that began in March and ends at noon Wednesday, July 9. Voters can cast a ballot once a day for best tux and best dress categories using their email addresses, with five finalists in each category. Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2025 But Section 1 applies to both categories of individuals. Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for category

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of category was in 1588

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Category.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/category. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

category

noun
cat·​e·​go·​ry ˈkat-ə-ˌgōr-ē How to pronounce category (audio)
-ˌgȯr-
plural categories
1
: one of the divisions or groupings used in a system of classification
"species" and "genus" are biological categories
2

More from Merriam-Webster on category

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