categorize

verb

cat·​e·​go·​rize ˈka-ti-gə-ˌrīz 

categorized; categorizing

transitive verb

: to put into a category : classify

Birds are categorized by type in this field manual.

categorization

ˌka-ti-gə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

categorizable

ˌka-ti-gə-ˈrī-zə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms of categorize

• classify
• rank
• distinguish

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

There’s a lot more in the text of the Voting Rights Act that categorizes the relationship between race, political cohesion and voting power. —Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 1 May 2026

In addition to account categories and interactions based on age, the interactive gaming platform will also categorize the types of games played by age. —ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026

Much of the northwest corner of the state was categorized as in exceptional drought — the most severe category used by the monitor. —Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2026

The World Health Organization categorizes people with a BMI over 25 as overweight and a BMI over 30 as obese. —Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 29 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see category

First Known Use

1705, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for categorize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize
• democratize

Kids Definition

categorize

verb

cat·​e·​go·​rize ˈkat-i-gə-ˌrīz 

categorized; categorizing

: to put into a category : classify

categorization

ˌkat-i-gə-rə-ˈzā-shən 

noun