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

The 2026 inductees in the performer category include Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, Sade, Wu-Tang Clan and the late Luther Vandross. —Daniela Avila, PEOPLE, 14 Apr. 2026

Churches, by contrast, are generally not in that category. —Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026

In a category dominated by Plan B, its strategy made emergency contraception more approachable and less intimidating. —Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2026

The show was recognized by the Daytime Emmys with wins for art direction and costume design (always a strength for the Kroffts) as well as two nominations for outstanding performer (Pryor and Lily Tomlin), a nomination for writing and two others in technical categories. —Carmel Dagan, Variety, 13 Apr. 2026

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