Category: meaning, definitions and examples

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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