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.
Cruise fares vary depending on many factors, including sailing date, cabin category and more. Nathan Diller, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025 But as Tiffany’s artistic director for the home category, Santo Domingo also selected the dinnerware for the event. Miles Socha, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2025 Among the lowest income households, 64 percent cited grocery prices as a significant stressor, and only two-in-10 of the higher income category—those earning $100,000 or more—said grocery prices were not a concern. Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025 In the case of Cardi B, whose net worth is reportedly close to $100 million, being legally separated from her husband qualifies her as a single mother, although her economics put her in another category apart from both single- and dual-parent families. Meagan Jordan, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 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 9 Oct. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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