category
noun
cat·e·go·ry
ˈka-tə-ˌgȯr-ē 
plural categories
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.
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
Chicken-centric chains, notably Raising Cane’s and Wingstop, were the strongest performers among all restaurant categories in 2024.
—
Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 3 May 2025
Seo’s concierge service is priced at $500 per category of treatment: non-surgical skin care (including tightening treatments like Ultherapy), medical exams (like allergy and hearing tests), and beauty services (head spas, nails, massages).
—Parizaad Khan Sethi, Allure, 2 May 2025
These two categories of research have previously been targeted by Republicans in Congress such as Rep. Jim Jordan and Sen. Ted Cruz.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 2 May 2025
The winner of Hot Docs Best International Feature Documentary, I Poppy, will qualify for consideration in the Best Documentary Feature category of the annual Academy Awards® without the standard theatrical run, provided the film complies with Academy rules.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for category
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Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 3 May 2025
Seo’s concierge service is priced at $500 per category of treatment: non-surgical skin care (including tightening treatments like Ultherapy), medical exams (like allergy and hearing tests), and beauty services (head spas, nails, massages).
—Parizaad Khan Sethi, Allure, 2 May 2025
These two categories of research have previously been targeted by Republicans in Congress such as Rep. Jim Jordan and Sen. Ted Cruz.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 2 May 2025
The winner of Hot Docs Best International Feature Documentary, I Poppy, will qualify for consideration in the Best Documentary Feature category of the annual Academy Awards® without the standard theatrical run, provided the film complies with Academy rules.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for category
Cite this Entry
“Category.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/category. Accessed 17 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
category
noun
cat·e·go·ry
ˈkat-ə-ˌgōr-ē
-ˌgȯr-
plural categories
1
: one of the divisions or groupings used in a system of classification
"species" and "genus" are biological categories
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