category

noun

cat·​e·​go·​ry ˈka-tə-ˌgȯr-ē 

plural categories

1

: any of several fundamental and distinct classes to which entities or concepts belong

Taxpayers fall into one of several categories.

2

: a division within a system of classification

She competed for the award in her age category.

Synonyms of category

• type
• kind

Examples of category in a Sentence

The cars belong to the same category.

Taxpayers fall into one of several categories.

She competed for the award in her age category.

Recent Examples on the Web

In Thursday’s victory, Caroline Castans dished two assists and, with, 15, became KU’s all-time single-season leader in that category. —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 21 Nov. 2025

But more categories of AI chips are gaining ground. —Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 21 Nov. 2025

The Mavericks have been a dumpster fire, sitting at 4-12 are among the bottom in many statistical categories, including points per game (27th), three-point percentage (29th), opponents' points in the paint (26th), and opponents' total rebounds per game (30th). —Ricardo Sandoval, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025

From toys to kitchenware to electronics, the sale is set to feature millions of deals across virtually every category. —Hannah Hudnall, Louisville Courier Journal, 21 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin categoria, from Greek katēgoria predication, category, from katēgorein to accuse, affirm, predicate, from kata- + agora public assembly, from ageirein to gather

First Known Use

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for category

• allegory
• amatory
• auditory
• clerestory
• crematory
• desultory
• dilatory
• dormitory
• excretory
• extempore
• feudatory
• gustatory

Kids Definition

category

noun

cat·​e·​go·​ry ˈkat-ə-ˌgōr-ē 

-ˌgȯr-

plural categories

1

: one of the divisions or groupings used in a system of classification

"species" and "genus" are biological categories

2

: class entry 1 sense 3a, kind