categorize

verb

cat·​e·​go·​rize ˈka-ti-gə-ˌrīz 

categorized; categorizing

transitive verb

: to put into a category : classify

Birds are categorized by type in this field manual.

categorization

ˌka-ti-gə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

categorizable

ˌka-ti-gə-ˈrī-zə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms of categorize

• classify
• rank
• distinguish

Examples of categorize in a Sentence

This software lets you categorize your photographs in many different ways.

Their opinions can be categorized as conservative.

Birds are categorized by type in this field guide.

Recent Examples on the Web

Galvanizing these new efforts is the rise of machine learning techniques categorized as artificial intelligence. —Quanta Magazine, 20 Feb. 2026

Keep reading to see these picks and plenty more categorized by price, and start shopping now to help create the most magical prom experience possible. —Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 20 Feb. 2026

Naylor categorizes about 30% of shark species as endangered, largely due to overfishing. —Meg Tanaka, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026

That ranking becomes tricky because the USCIS data categorizes approval statistics by the employer’s location, not an employee’s, according to the agency. —William Tong, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see category

First Known Use

1705, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for categorize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize
• democratize

Kids Definition

categorize

verb

cat·​e·​go·​rize ˈkat-i-gə-ˌrīz 

categorized; categorizing

: to put into a category : classify

categorization

ˌkat-i-gə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

noun