cat

1 of 5

noun

often attributive
1
a
: a carnivorous mammal (Felis catus) long domesticated as a pet and for catching rats and mice
b
: any of a family (Felidae) of carnivorous usually solitary and nocturnal mammals (such as the domestic cat, lion, tiger, leopard, jaguar, cougar, wildcat, lynx, and cheetah)
2
a
: guy
some young … cat asked me to go drinking with himJack Kerouac
b
: a player or devotee of jazz
3
: a strong tackle used to hoist an anchor to the cathead of a ship
4
a
b
5
6
7
: a malicious woman
especially : one given to making catty remarks about other women

cat

2 of 5

verb

catted; catting

intransitive verb

usually vulgar : to search for a sexual mate
often used with around

transitive verb

: to bring (an anchor) up to the cathead

cat

3 of 5

abbreviation (1)

1
catalog
2
catalyst

Cat

4 of 5

trademark

used for a Caterpillar tractor

CAT

5 of 5

abbreviation (2)

1
clean-air turbulence
2
computerized axial tomography

Examples of cat in a Sentence

Noun I have two dogs and a cat. the family's cat did an exemplary job of keeping the house and yard free of all rodents
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.
Noun
While being indoors obviously won’t be a change for indoor cats — keeping cats indoors protects them from many dangers, including bird flu — dogs will need extra enrichment activities to compensate for not getting their typical outdoor exercise. Jen Reeder, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025 This little purr machine is Fernando, a 3-year-old tabby cat with soft stripes, a gentle heart and a shy soul. Trish Stinger, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2025 If your cat has health issues or just struggles to drink water, try this Petlibro smart water foundation and save $40 right now. Cierra Cowan, PC Magazine, 25 June 2025 From left: Bruno the cat takes an interested sniff at a banana, before pulling back and making a disgusted face. Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for cat

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English catt, probably from Late Latin cattus, catta cat

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1681, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of cat was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cat. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

cat

noun
ˈkat
1
a
: a small domestic meat-eating mammal kept by people as a pet or for catching rats and mice
b
: an animal (as the lion, tiger, leopard, jaguar, cougar, wildcat, lynx, and cheetah) that belongs to the same family as the domestic cat
2

Medical Definition

cat

1 of 2 noun
often attributive
1
: a carnivorous mammal (Felis catus) long domesticated and kept as a pet or for catching rats and mice
2
: any of a family (Felidae) of mammals including the domestic cat, lion, tiger, leopard, jaguar, cougar, wildcat, lynx, and cheetah

CAT

2 of 2 abbreviation
computed axial tomography; computerized axial tomography

More from Merriam-Webster on cat

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