categorize

verb

cat·​e·​go·​rize ˈka-ti-gə-ˌrīz How to pronounce categorize (audio)
categorized; categorizing

transitive verb

: to put into a category : classify
Birds are categorized by type in this field manual.
categorization noun
categorizable adjective

Examples of categorize in a Sentence

This software lets you categorize your photographs in many different ways. Their opinions can be categorized as conservative. Birds are categorized by type in this field guide.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
More research is needed to understand the full scope and flexibility of dogs’ language categorization abilities, as well as a larger sample size and with dogs not categorized as GWLs. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 18 Sep. 2025 Tickets cost $35 for heroes, which are categorized as military, teachers and first responders. Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2025 Start by categorizing expenses based on their level of importance. Joe Camberato, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025 Law enforcement officials have categorized the incident as a terrorist act. Washington Examiner Staff, The Washington Examiner, 17 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for categorize

Word History

Etymology

see category

First Known Use

1705, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of categorize was in 1705

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Cite this Entry

“Categorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/categorize. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

categorize

verb
cat·​e·​go·​rize ˈkat-i-gə-ˌrīz How to pronounce categorize (audio)
categorized; categorizing
: to put into a category : classify
categorization noun

More from Merriam-Webster on categorize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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