categorize

verb

cat·​e·​go·​rize ˈka-ti-gə-ˌrīz How to pronounce categorize (audio)
categorized; categorizing

transitive verb

: to put into a category : classify
Birds are categorized by type in this field manual.
categorization noun
categorizable adjective

Examples of categorize in a Sentence

This software lets you categorize your photographs in many different ways. Their opinions can be categorized as conservative. Birds are categorized by type in this field guide.
Recent Examples on the Web Until recently, scientists officially categorized flamingos as a non-native species. Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2024 In practice, inspectors rarely categorized inadequate staffing as a serious infraction resulting in possible penalties, federal records show. Jordan Rau, NPR, 24 Apr. 2024 The new guideline categorizes the stethoscope as a vector that transmits by touch and states the need for hygiene before all patient exams. Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 18 Apr. 2024 In 2019, the World Health Organization officially categorized burnout as a medical diagnosis. Fiorella Valdesolo, Vogue, 16 Apr. 2024 Advertisement The circumstances surrounding the incident were unclear Monday morning, but the FAA categorized the crash as an accident due to engine issues. Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2024 Summers was one of a handful of economists who correctly argued back in 2021 that inflation wasn’t transitory, as Fed officials had categorized it, and rather was more widespread and would prove to not be temporary. Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024 Adultery as Crime: An antiquated but seldom-enforced state law categorizes adultery as a crime, and past efforts to repeal it have gone nowhere. Camille Baker, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024 The other two schools exempt from the decision are W.E.B. DuBois and Grace James because the district categorizes them differently. Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Courier-Journal, 11 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'categorize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see category

First Known Use

1705, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of categorize was in 1705

Dictionary Entries Near categorize

Cite this Entry

“Categorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/categorize. Accessed 2 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

categorize

verb
cat·​e·​go·​rize ˈkat-i-gə-ˌrīz How to pronounce categorize (audio)
categorized; categorizing
: to put into a category : classify
categorization noun

More from Merriam-Webster on categorize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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