Definitions for category
ˈkæt ɪˌgɔr i, -ˌgoʊr icat·e·go·ry

Princeton's WordNet(3.67 / 6 votes)Rate this definition:

1. class, category, familynoun

   a collection of things sharing a common attribute

   "there are two classes of detergents"

2. categorynoun

   a general concept that marks divisions or coordinations in a conceptual scheme

Wiktionary(3.83 / 6 votes)Rate this definition:

1. categorynoun

   A group, often named or numbered, to which items are assigned based on similarity or defined criteria.

2. categorynoun

   A collection of objects, together with a transitively closed collection of composable arrows between them, such that every object has an identity arrow, and such that arrow composition is associative.

3. Etymology: From categorie, from categoria, from.

Webster Dictionary(2.60 / 5 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Categorynoun

   one of the highest classes to which the objects of knowledge or thought can be reduced, and by which they can be arranged in a system; an ultimate or undecomposable conception; a predicament

2. Categorynoun

   class; also, state, condition, or predicament; as, we are both in the same category

3. Etymology: [L. categoria, Gr. , fr. to accuse, affirm, predicate; down, against + to harrangue, assert, fr. assembly.]

Freebase(2.33 / 3 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Category

   In mathematics, a category is an algebraic structure that comprises "objects" that are linked by "arrows". A category has two basic properties: the ability to compose the arrows associatively and the existence of an identity arrow for each object. A simple example is the category of sets, whose objects are sets and whose arrows are functions. On the other hand, any monoid can be understood as a special sort of category, and so can any preorder. In general, the objects and arrows may be abstract entities of any kind, and the notion of category provides a fundamental and abstract way to describe mathematical entities and their relationships. This is the central idea of category theory, a branch of mathematics which seeks to generalize all of mathematics in terms of objects and arrows, independent of what the objects and arrows represent. Virtually every branch of modern mathematics can be described in terms of categories, and doing so often reveals deep insights and similarities between seemingly different areas of mathematics. For more extensive motivational background and historical notes, see category theory and the list of category theory topics. Two categories are the same if they have the same collection of objects, the same collection of arrows, and the same associative method of composing any pair of arrows. Two categories may also be considered "equivalent" for purposes of category theory, even if they are not precisely the same.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(4.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Category

   kat′e-gor-i, n. what may be affirmed of a class: a class or order.—adjs. Categoremat′ic, capable of being used by itself as a term; Categor′ical, positive: absolute: without exception.—adv. Categor′ically, absolutely: without qualification: expressly.—n. Categor′icalness, the quality of being absolute and unqualified.—n.pl. Cat′egories (phil.), the highest classes under which objects of philosophy can be systematically arranged, understood as an attempt at a comprehensive classification of all that exists: in Kant's system, the root-notions of the understanding, the specific forms of the a priori or formal element in rational cognition (quantity, quality, relation, modality, &c.).—v.t. Cat′egorise, to place in a category or list: to class.—n. Categor′ist, one who categorises.—Categorical imperative, in the ethics of Kant, the absolute unconditional command of the moral law, irrespective of every ulterior end or aim—universally authoritative, belonging to the fixed law of nature—'Act from a maxim at all times fit for law universal.' [Gr. katēgoria, katēgoros, an accuser, kata, down, against, agora, assembly.]

Matched Categories

1. • Concept

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'category' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #2971

2. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'category' in Nouns Frequency: #700

How to pronounce category?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say category in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of category in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of category in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

Examples of category in a Sentence

1. Mark Geyer:

   It is, I think, consistent with those -- the beginning of shuttle and beginning of Apollo, i think it's in the same category.

2. Glenn Close:

   I am so thrilled it's a tie, I can't tell you, the world kind of pits us against each other in this profession and I know that from all the women in this category, and I think I can speak for all the women in this room, we celebrate each other.

3. Beth Mandyck:

   I was aghast that there was no women’s bodybuilding, if there’s a category for men, why can’t there be a category for women?

4. Jonathan Feeney:

   Anytime a savvy retailer enters the category, I think the existing players have to question if their price architecture is right, particularly when someone enters the private label side of the category.

5. Bruno Lannes:

   The crackdown took away the gifting... that was a tradition in China, and luxury brands were very good for that, especially in the male category.

Popularity rank by frequency of use