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

Our methodology To determine the top rental platforms, CNBC Select categorized our picks by best for renting out your home, best for renting out your pool, best for renting out your car and best for renting out miscellaneous items. —Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2026

Games that aren't supported by the Steam Deck because of performance or SteamOS compatibility issues will be automatically categorized as unsupported on the Steam Frame. —Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 11 Mar. 2026

Reviewers analyzed more than two dozen studies involving nearly 2,000 participants who were categorized as overweight or obese. —Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026

Closer To Truth, and creator/curator of the Landscape of Consciousness website, which catalogues and categorizes theories of consciousness. —Conor Feehly, Big Think, 10 Mar. 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