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

• assort
• break down
• class
• classify
• codify
• compartment
• compartmentalize
• digest
• distinguish
• distribute
• grade
• group
• peg
• place
• range
• rank
• relegate
• separate
• sort
• type

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

This led us to examine the similarities and themes that could be used to categorize these 37 sports industry revenue segments into an organizational structure. —Dennis Howard, Sportico.com, 19 June 2025

Doctors categorize it as early, middle, or late based on affected cognitive areas and support needed, aiding future planning. —Nawab John Dar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2025

As others have noted, companies may claim impressive gross margins even though a closer look at their P&L reveals millions in API calls and compute costs categorized under R&D. When re-categorized correctly, their margin was actually negative. —Rocio Wu, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025

Warm bodies in lab coats dissect the ingredients, studying and categorizing them in beakers and Petri dishes. —Essence, 16 June 2025

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