category

noun

cat·e·go·ry ˈka-tə-ˌgȯr-ē

plural categories

Synonyms of category next

: any of several fundamental and distinct classes to which entities or concepts belong

Taxpayers fall into one of several categories.

: a division within a system of classification

She competed for the award in her age category.

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.

To receive this award, products have to demonstrate best-in-class performance over months of rigorous testing, besting the competition in their respective categories. —

Outside Editors, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024 Copied Share Ravens' rushing attack unmatched Greg Rosenstein Ravens RB Derrick Henry leads the NFL in several categories through the first half of the season: rushing attempts (168), rushing yards (1,052), rushing TD (11) and total TD (13). —

NBC News, 8 Nov. 2024 French Oscar entry Emilia Pérez by Jacques Audiard and The Room Next Door by Pedro Almodovar lead the nominations making it into four categories each. —

Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2024 Co-leads Kristen Stewart and Katy O’Brian are nominated for Best Joint Lead Performance, and the film has also been recognized in the Best British Independent Film, Best Director, and Best Screenplay categories. —

Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2024 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

See more words from the same year