category

noun

cat·​e·​go·​ry ˈka-tə-ˌgȯr-ē How to pronounce category (audio)
plural categories
Synonyms of category
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

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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
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.
But there’s also something to be said for when certain trivia categories are a bit more represented in the mix. — Sean McGowan, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2026 Consumers are entering the category at an earlier age, too, and skew toward more modern and trendy products. — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026 Consistently blowing past the treat line doesn’t automatically mean eliminating the category. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2026 Consistently blowing past the treat budget doesn’t automatically mean eliminating the category. — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for category

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of category was in 1588

Rhymes for category

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Browse Nearby Words

categorize
category
category killer
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Cite this Entry

“Category.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/category. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

category

noun
cat·​e·​go·​ry ˈkat-ə-ˌgōr-ē How to pronounce category (audio)
-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

More from Merriam-Webster on category

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about category

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