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.

Synonyms

• type
• kind

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

The oral health category underwent a total refresh in the last few years, as brands and consumers have turned their focus from aesthetics and appearance to examining the impact of the mouth on overall health. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 26 Sep. 2025

According to the statement, Maesa has decided to exit the color cosmetics category entirely. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 26 Sep. 2025

When those categories are factored in, the number of approvals for H-1B visas in the educational services category in Florida jumps to 4,709 in the same time period. —Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025

The new Serena & Lily Belvedere bedding bundle may be a splurge, but one that certainly falls into trousseau-worthy category. —Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 26 Sep. 2025

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

Rhymes for category

• allegory
• amatory
• auditory
• clerestory
• crematory
• desultory
• dilatory
• dormitory
• excretory
• extempore
• feudatory
• gustatory

Kids 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

2

: class entry 1 sense 3a, kind