Category: meaning, definitions and examples

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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?

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?

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?

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.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'category' comes from the Greek word 'katēgoria', 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.

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.

Translations

Translations of the word "category" in other languages:

🇵🇹 categoria

🇮🇳 श्रेणी

🇩🇪 Kategorie

🇮🇩 kategori

🇺🇦 категорія

🇵🇱 kategoria

🇯🇵 カテゴリー

🇫🇷 catégorie

🇪🇸 categoría

🇹🇷 kategori

🇰🇷 카테고리

🇸🇦 فئة

🇨🇿 kategorie

🇸🇰 kategória

🇨🇳 类别

🇸🇮 kategorija

🇮🇸 flokkur

🇰🇿 санат

🇬🇪 კატეგორია

🇦🇿 kateqoriya

🇲🇽 categoría

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.

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2231 formula
2232 mining
2233 particles
2234 category
2235 reflect
2236 quiet
2237 forming
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