categorize

verb

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

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.
Those categorized as lower risk were treated with hormone therapy alone. Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 May 2026 Prediction markets sell event contracts — so they’re also categorized and regulated differently from traditional forms of gambling. Wyatte Grantham-Philips, Fortune, 29 May 2026 Mechanical movement, on the other (watch) hand, can be categorized as either manual or automatic. Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 27 May 2026 The film is set to star Penélope Cruz, Jude Law, Kieran Culkin, Erin Dougherty, Michael Fassbender and Owen Wilson, and has been categorized as semi-autobiographical in nature for the Parent Trap writer and director. Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 27 May 2026 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 3 Jun. 2026.

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

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