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 him—
Jack Kerouac
Jack Kerouac
b
: a player or devotee of jazz
3
: a strong tackle used to hoist an anchor to the cathead of a ship
6
7
: a malicious woman
especially
: one given to making catty remarks about other women
catted; catting
usually vulgar
: to search for a sexual mate
—often used with around
: to bring (an anchor) up to the cathead
1
catalog
2
catalyst
1
clean-air turbulence
2
computerized axial tomography
Synonyms
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
Reuters, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
This can be an issue for pet owners and farmers, since coyotes are known to go after pets and livestock including dogs, cats, chickens, goats, and sheep.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024
Joseph Goodman, AL.com, 17 June 2017
Cat Mountain Tr., 1400 block: Theft of property ($100-$750).
—Mitch Mitchell, star-telegram.com, 16 June 2017
See all Example Sentences for cat 
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Noun
The teen had no farm exposure but had been exposed to dogs, cats and reptiles, Henry said.
—Reuters, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
This can be an issue for pet owners and farmers, since coyotes are known to go after pets and livestock including dogs, cats, chickens, goats, and sheep.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024
Verb
Cat knew how to draw out the best in his son athletically and emotionally.
—Joseph Goodman, AL.com, 17 June 2017
Cat Mountain Tr., 1400 block: Theft of property ($100-$750).
—Mitch Mitchell, star-telegram.com, 16 June 2017
See all Example Sentences for cat
Dictionary Entries Near cat
Cite this Entry
“Cat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cat. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
cat
1 of 2 nounoften 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
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