: intended to catch up to a theoretical norm or a competitor's accomplishments
: the act or fact of catching up or trying to catch up (as with a norm or competitor)
had to play catch-up
also
: an increase intended to achieve catch-up
caught up; catching up; catches up
1
2
: to provide with the latest information
catch me up on the news
1
a
: to travel fast enough to overtake an advance party
The soldier ran to catch up with his unit.
b
: to reach a state of parity (see parity sense 1) or of being able to cope
students who miss class have difficulty catching up
2
: to bring about arrest for illicit activities
the police caught up with the thieves
3
a
: to complete or compensate (see compensate sense 1) for something belatedly
catch up on lost sleep
b
: to acquire belated information
catch up on the news
Synonyms
Examples of catchup in a Sentence
Verb
a young idealist who got caught up in the political fanaticism of the times
completely caught up in opera ever since he saw La Traviata
Recent Examples on the Web
Anshu Bansal, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Starting in 2025, employees aged 60 to 63 years old who participate in one of those work plans have a higher catch-up contribution limit.
—Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2024
Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2023
Next week's rain potential has shifted slower, so the deficit should grow until potential activity Thu-Sat for a stronger catch-up attempt.
—David Streit, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2023
Danielle James, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2024
Perry, who shares daughter Daisy Dove, 4, with fiancé Orlando Bloom, was seen catching up with ex John Mayer at the concert.
—Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for catchup 
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.
Adjective
Compliance And Regulatory Adherence Compliance is a never-ending game of catch-up.
—Anshu Bansal, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Starting in 2025, employees aged 60 to 63 years old who participate in one of those work plans have a higher catch-up contribution limit.
—Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2024
Noun
Those 55 and older can contribute an additional $1,000 as a catch-up contribution.
—Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2023
Next week's rain potential has shifted slower, so the deficit should grow until potential activity Thu-Sat for a stronger catch-up attempt.
—David Streit, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2023
Verb
In contrast, many smaller U.S.-based brands need to catch up in offering a wide range of shades, especially when inclusivity in shade matching can require significant research, development, and investment.
—Danielle James, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2024
Perry, who shares daughter Daisy Dove, 4, with fiancé Orlando Bloom, was seen catching up with ex John Mayer at the concert.
—Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for catchup
Dictionary Entries Near catchup
Cite this Entry
“Catchup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catchup. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share