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.
The researchers categorized participants as inactive, weekend warriors, or regularly active based on data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) collected from 2011 to 2018. Laura Hensley, Verywell Health, 14 Mar. 2025 Each result was then reviewed by two reporters, who used licensing records to confirm it was categorized correctly. Charles Ornstein, ProPublica, 13 Mar. 2025 The six types of space weapons Saltzman said the Space Force categorizes adversarial space weapons in six categories—three that are space-based and three that are ground-based. Ars Technica, 13 Mar. 2025 In the past, North Korea categorized the rocket launches as an act of deterrence, a symbolic display of disapproval of military cooperation between South Korea, the U.S., and other allies in Asia. Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 12 Mar. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Categorize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/categorize. Accessed 19 Mar. 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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