categorize

verb

cat·​e·​go·​rize ˈka-ti-gə-ˌrīz How to pronounce categorize (audio)
categorized; categorizing

transitive verb

: to put into a category : classify
Birds are categorized by type in this field manual.
categorization noun
categorizable adjective

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
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.
Far too hard to categorize in terms of cause and effect. Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2025 More Entertainment: Netflix Releases Mysterious Trailer For Next 'Knives Out' Film Known as a Netflix tagger, these individuals are paid to watch, analyze, and categorize content. Jeremy Hanna, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025 Any attempt made to categorize this unconventional cinematic experience seems inadequate. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 June 2025 There’s two types of rare earths, categorized by their atomic weights: heavy and light. Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 3 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for categorize

Word History

Etymology

see category

First Known Use

1705, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of categorize was in 1705

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Categorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/categorize. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

categorize

verb
cat·​e·​go·​rize ˈkat-i-gə-ˌrīz How to pronounce categorize (audio)
categorized; categorizing
: to put into a category : classify
categorization noun

More from Merriam-Webster on categorize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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