recategorize

verb

re·​cat·​e·​go·​rize (ˌ)rē-ˈka-ti-gə-ˌrīz How to pronounce recategorize (audio)
recategorized; recategorizing; recategorizes

transitive verb

: to put into a different category : reclassify
recategorized the drug as a controlled substance
Neptune is the eighth and furthest planet from the Sun, since Pluto was recategorized as a dwarf planet.James L. Chen
recategorization noun
plural recategorizations
Nye supported the recategorization of Pluto by the International Astronomical Union. Its makeup more closely matches a comet, he said. Mark Bennett

Examples of recategorize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
When mistakes are low-consequence, smart leaders recategorize errors as learning opportunities, evolutionary misguidance and situational myopia rather than doling out errors with penalties and professional purgatory. Nuala Walsh, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2021 The reintroduced bill would recategorize cranial prosthetics as durable medical equipment covered under the Social Security Act. Essence, 6 Oct. 2021 In California, lawmakers passed legislation requiring ride-hailing giants to recategorize drivers as employees and not contractors (which Uber and Lyft fought with a ballot initiative that was overturned last month). Niharika Sharma, Quartz, 16 Sep. 2021 That created an additional load on the service desk team, which had to manually recategorize these requests prior to either manual processing or automation via a workflow. Pat Calhoun, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2021 Under the order’s terms, White House officials could recategorize Fauci as a Schedule F employee and then dismiss him, effectively stripping him of his ability to appeal against his own removal. Matt Ford, The New Republic, 22 Oct. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of recategorize was in 1917

Dictionary Entries Near recategorize

Cite this Entry

“Recategorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recategorize. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on recategorize

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!