catalogs

1. 1
   lists of itemsnoun

   Plural of catalog.

   Collectors compare the catalogs from several auction houses before bidding.

   The store mailed thick catalogs to every household in the county.

   Note

   The American spelling at work: catalog is the US alternative to catalogue, so catalogs and catalogues name the same mailed booklets and auction lists. The shorter form serves for the verb as well. That means one spelling also covers the present-tense verb, and only the grammar separates the store's catalogs from the store catalogs its stock. A writer who chooses one spelling should keep it throughout.

2. 2
   records itemsverb

   Third-person singular simple present of catalog.

   The curator catalogs the prints by artist, period, and printing technique.

   A new tool catalogs the company's products faster than the old manual system.

   Note

   Here the form is a verb, and it takes a singular subject: the curator catalogs, she catalogs, a new tool catalogs. With a plural subject it drops the -s (the curators catalog). It shares its American spelling with the plural noun. Writers who prefer catalogue would write catalogues here, matching whatever they use for the noun.

Showing meanings only. Show all 2