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

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

1. class, category, family(noun)

   a collection of things sharing a common attribute

   "there are two classes of detergents"

2. category(noun)

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

Wiktionary(3.83 / 6 votes)Rate this definition:

1. category(Noun)

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

   Etymology: From categorie, from categoria, from .

2. category(Noun)

   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.

   Etymology: From categorie, from categoria, from .

Webster Dictionary(2.25 / 4 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Category(noun)

   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

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

2. Category(noun)

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

   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.]

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

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

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. Manuela Ferreira:

   Adults with sudden back pain do not need to rush to get an X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), unless the clinician suspects the patient has a more serious condition, such as fracture or cancer, less than 5 percent of patients with low back pain, however, will fall into this category.

2. Lindsey Bell:

   It's refreshing to see Nasdaq leading the way even though everything is more or less flat ... you're seeing tech return to leadership category which is kind of what the market hasn't had in the past several weeks.

3. Alan Lancz:

   We're still in limbo with the North Korea situation so unless we get something definitive, I don't think we're going to see any major catalyst in that category.

4. Bill Owens:

   The brandy guys have a long road to hoe, it’s definitely an interesting category. The flavors are fabulous.

5. Jan Dawson:

   To the extent that Microsoft's vision for Windows 10 is one operating system that runs on devices in all sorts of shapes and sizes, there's been a big piece missing in that vision so far, and that's phones, we've known Windows 10 was coming for phones, but we haven't seen all the details of what a smartphone designed for Windows 10 really looks like. Mobile is easily the largest and most important category of computing devices today, and Microsoft hasn't had a compelling story in this space for years now. This week is their chance to show they can still be relevant in mobile.

Images & Illustrations of category

Popularity rank by frequency of use