subcategory

noun

sub·​cat·​e·​go·​ry ˌsəb-ˈka-tə-ˌgȯr-ē 

plural subcategories

: a category that is a subdivision of a larger category : a secondary category

grouping the books into the appropriate categories and subcategories

A new subcategory of vodkas, which provide a contrast to the "tasteless" aspect of this spirit, are the flavored vodkas …

—Alexis Bespaloff

Examples of subcategory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The cutting-edge formula was designed to be the first of its subcategory. —Dahvi Shira, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025

The subcategory does look different than in previous generations–modern brands taking away shelf space from its legacy competitors. —Andrew Watman, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025

Thanks to a 1994 law called the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, or DSHEA, supplements are regulated more like a subcategory of foods, not a subcategory of medicine. —Andrea Kane, CNN Money, 15 July 2025

In the informal subcategory of former British prime ministers, Liz Truss bested Boris Johnson, 8.4 percent to 0.7 percent. —George Kalogerakis, Air Mail, 7 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for subcategory

• accusatory
• admonitory
• ambulatory
• amendatory
• celebratory
• circulatory
• combinatory
• commendatory
• compensatory
• condemnatory
• confirmatory
• confiscatory