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Category Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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category

[หˆkatษชษก(ษ™)ri ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

general

A class or division of people or things regarded as having particular shared characteristics.

Synonyms

class, group, type.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
category

Used when sorting or organizing items based on shared characteristics, especially in official or formal settings.

  • Books in the library are sorted by category, such as fiction and non-fiction.
  • He won first place in the junior category of the race.
class

Used to describe a group of people or things with similar characteristics, often with an implication of social or economic differences.

  • She teaches a class of fifteen students.
  • People often travel in economy class for a cheaper fare.
group

Used to describe a collection of individuals or items gathered together, usually with a focus on the members being together rather than their characteristics.

  • A group of friends went to the movies.
  • The study group meets every Tuesday.
type

Used when referring to a kind or category of something based on particular characteristics, often in everyday and informal contexts.

  • There are different types of coffee, like espresso and latte.
  • This type of music is very popular among teenagers.

Examples of usage

  • The books are arranged by category.
  • She won in the best actress category.
Context #2 | Noun

computing

A collection of data in a particular field, defined by a common characteristic.

Synonyms

classification, grouping, section.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
category

Used to describe a distinct group or class that shares common characteristics, often in a formal or organized setting.

  • This book belongs to the fiction category.
  • Participants were divided into different categories based on their age.
classification

Commonly used in scientific or technical contexts to describe the systematic arrangement of objects or information into categories based on shared properties.

  • The scientist presented a new classification of butterfly species.
  • This classification system helps to organize the data more effectively.
grouping

Refers to the act of placing different items or individuals together based on shared characteristics, often in a less formal setting.

  • The teacher made a grouping of students for the project.
  • Product grouping by popularity can boost sales.
section

Generally used to refer to a distinct part or subdivision of a whole, such as a document, area, or structure.

  • Please refer to section 3 of the manual.
  • This section of the store is dedicated to electronics.

Examples of usage

  • The app allows you to filter your photos by category.
  • Please select a category from the dropdown menu.
Context #3 | Noun

awards

A class in a competition in which prizes are awarded.

Synonyms

class, division, section.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
category

Use 'category' when grouping items or concepts based on certain shared characteristics or criteria.

  • Books in the library are organized by category
  • The expense report has several categories, like food, travel, and supplies
division

Use 'division' when referring to a process of separating items or people into distinct groups, often based on an organizational or hierarchical structure.

  • The company has a division for each major department, like sales and human resources
  • The military is organized into various divisions
class

Use 'class' when referring to a group of objects or people that are ranked or grouped together based on shared qualities. Often used in scientific or educational contexts.

  • Mammals form a class of animals
  • In school, students are divided into different classes based on their subjects
section

Use 'section' when referring to a part of something that is divided from the whole, often within documents, books, or physical spaces.

  • This report has several sections, including the introduction and conclusion
  • The grocery store has a separate section for fresh produce

Examples of usage

  • The film was nominated in several categories at the awards ceremony.
  • She received an award in the best new artist category.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Humans naturally categorize information to make sense of the world, a process that begins in early childhood development.
  • Categorization helps in decision-making by simplifying complex information into manageable groups.
  • Understanding categories is essential for learning, aiding memory retention by structuring information logically.

Science

  • In biology, the system known as taxonomy is a method of categorizing living organisms into groups like species, genus, and family.
  • Categories are crucial in data science, where clustering algorithms group similar data points for analysis.
  • The scientific method often uses categories to classify hypotheses, variables, and experimental results.

Technology

  • Digital platforms often use categories to organize content, making it easier for users to navigate and find information.
  • In programming, categories can represent data types, helping software engineers create more efficient algorithms.
  • Categorization is important in machine learning, particularly in creating models that classify data based on learned features.

Culture

  • Different cultures categorize objects and ideas in unique ways, influencing how they think and communicate.
  • In art, categorizing styles (like impressionism or realism) helps understand historical contexts and movements.
  • Categories in literature help readers identify genres, making it easier to find books that they enjoy.

Origin of 'category'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'category' comes from the Greek word 'katฤ“goria', meaning 'a declaration' or 'accusation', reflecting how we describe groups.
  • It entered the English language in the late 14th century, demonstrating early use in philosophy.
  • Ancient philosophers like Aristotle laid the groundwork for the classification of things into categories.

The word 'category' originated from the Late Latin word 'categoria', which in turn came from the Greek word 'kategoria' meaning 'accusation'. Over time, the meaning evolved to refer to a class or division of things. The use of 'category' became more prominent in the English language during the 15th century.

See also: categorical, categories, categorization, categorize.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,234, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.