category
KAT-uh-gor-ee/ˈkætəˌɡɔɹi/UKKAT-i-gri/ˈkætɪɡ(ə)ɹi/
Pluralcategories
- 1A group of things that are alike or that fit the same rule.
Like sorting your toys into boxes, where each box holds one kind of thing.
The store puts every item into a category so shoppers can find things.
Singers and dancers compete in different categories at the show.
UsageSay in a category or fall into a category.
Similartype, kind, class, sort, group
Note
Less common meaning
- 2In math, objects linked by arrows that join end to end, with each object having an arrow to itself.
Use it in a sentence
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Origin
It came through French from a Late Latin word meaning a class of things, which came from an Ancient Greek word.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 4 facts
- The English word came through French. en.wiktionary.org
- The French source derives from a Late Latin word. en.wiktionary.org
- The Late Latin word meant a class of things, specifically a class of predicables. en.wiktionary.org
- The Latin word came from Ancient Greek. fr.wiktionary.org