a number of things or persons sharing a particular characteristic, or set of characteristics, that causes them to be regarded as a group, more or less precisely defined or designated; class; category.
a criminal of the most vicious type.
a thing or person regarded as a member of a class or category; kind; sort (usually followed byof ).
This is some type of mushroom.
Informal. a person, regarded as reflecting or typifying a certain line of work, environment, etc..
a couple of civil service types.
a thing or person that represents perfectly or in the best way a class or category; model.
the very type of a headmaster.
Printing.
a rectangular piece or block, now usually of metal, having on its upper surface a letter or character in relief.
such pieces or blocks collectively.
a similar piece in a typewriter or the like.
such pieces collectively.
a printed character or printed characters.
a headline in large type.
face.
Biology.
a genus or species that most nearly exemplifies the essential characteristics of a higher group.
the one or more specimens on which the description and naming of a species is based.
Agriculture.
the inherited features of an animal or breed that are favorable for any given purpose.
dairy type.
a strain, breed, or variety of animal, or a single animal, belonging to a specific kind.
Also called type-word. Logic, Linguistics. the general form of a word, expression, symbol, or the like in contrast to its particular instances.
The type “and” in “red and white and blue” has two separate tokens.
the pattern or model from which something is made.
an image or figure produced by impressing or stamping, as the principal figure or device on either side of a coin or medal.
a distinctive or characteristic mark or sign.
a symbol of something in the future, as an Old Testament event serving as a prefiguration of a New Testament event.
Medicine/Medical. blood group.
a kind, class, or category, the constituents of which share similar characteristics
a subdivision of a particular class of things or people; sort
what type of shampoo do you use?
the general form, plan, or design distinguishing a particular group
informal a person who typifies a particular quality
he's the administrative type
informal a person, esp of a specified kind
he's a strange type
a small block of metal or more rarely wood bearing a letter or character in relief for use in printing
such pieces collectively
characters printed from type; print
biology
the taxonomic group the characteristics of which are used for defining the next highest group, for example Rattus norvegicus (brown rat) is the type species of the rat genus Rattus
( as modifier )
a type genus
a type species
See type specimen
the characteristic device on a coin
linguistics a symbol regarded as standing for the class of all symbols identical to it Compare token
logic a class of expressions or of the entities they represent that can all enter into the same syntactic relations. The theory of types was advanced by Bertrand Russell to avoid the liar paradox, Russell's paradox, etc
philosophy a universal. If a sentence always has the same meaning whenever it is used, the meaning is said to be a property of the sentence-type Compare token
Christian theol a figure, episode, or symbolic factor resembling some future reality in such a way as to foreshadow or prefigure it
rare a distinctive sign or mark
to write (copy) on a typewriter
(tr) to be a symbol of; typify
(tr) to decide the type of; clarify into a type
(tr) med to determine the blood group of (a blood sample)
(tr) Christian theol to foreshadow or serve as a symbol of (some future reality)
type or form
archetype
printing type or photographic process
collotype
When preceded by a modifier, type meaning “kind, sort” is sometimes used without a following of: This type furnace uses very little current. In writing, a hyphen is often placed between type and the preceding word or words: a magnetic-type holder; a New England-type corn pudding. This construction is frequently criticized by usage guides; it is most typical of journalistic writing and advertising and occurs rarely in formal speech or writing. In almost all cases the construction can be rendered fully standard either by restoring of after type, with no hyphen ( this type of furnace; a New England type of corn pudding ) or by omitting type altogether ( a magnetic holder).
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English: “symbol, figure” (from Middle French ), from Latin typus “bas-relief, ground plan,” from Greek týpos “blow, impression”
A type is a specific category of things or people that have something in common. Your favorite type of candy might be dark chocolate, while your brother's favorite type is jelly beans. There are two basic sorts of types: first, a group of similar things — and in biology, specifically, "an organism with the essential characteristics of its group." The second type of type consists of letters, numbers, or symbols that are printed or shown on a computer screen, like the extra-large type in your grandpa's library book. As a verb, to type means to use a typewriter or keyboard to write.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But market conditions look different for at least one type of CEO—those leading private equity-backed portfolio companies.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026
But the prime minister suggested the type of migration experienced during the years of EU membership was "different" from the challenges faced now.
From BBC ● Oct. 25, 2026
To test their approach, the researchers first examined a nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond, a type of crystal defect widely studied for quantum applications.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 23, 2026
“He’s able to do these things when he feels comfortable in that type of atmosphere. I think he’s getting there with the Lakers.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2026
“This type of tremor came and went, off and on,” remembered Malone.
From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone
We need a Graeme Souness -type manager who won't let players just turn up to get their huge salaries.
From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2025
Unlike for the bulk of his works which he installs guerrilla-style without asking, Invader sought and got the museum’s permission to cement the red-and-white Space Invader -type alien into place overlooking the city.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 4, 2024
The therapist version offers a confidential soundproof box — one that, ahhh, offers a partner in figuring out how to answer these, “Is it okay?” -type questions.
From Washington Post ● Apr. 28, 2022
In linguistics, researchers describe individual words as categories called "types," while each appearance of a word in text is known as a "token."
From Science Daily ● Oct. 24, 2026
Treatments have been advancing, including more targeted therapies for early breast cancer, new types of hormonal therapies, and more precise and effective radiotherapy.
From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026
The vaccine is already being studied in cancers like kidney and lung and the companies are considering other tumor types.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026
Movie-industry types like to say “the city is a character,” but it would be more accurate to say the city is its characters.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026
Ob is one of those Ichabod Crane types in looks.
From "Missing May" by Cynthia Rylant
Along with a typed schedule detailing Queen Elizabeth II's plans to host a diplomatic reception in her Silver Jubilee year...
From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026
Outside the courthouse, Navarrete listed all the documents her client would need for a chance to stay, as his daughter furiously typed them into a cellphone.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026
It must be 100% handwritten with no typed words, printed forms or help from another person.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 24, 2026
A sophomore in Arizona typed an email he never sent.
From Slate ● Aug. 21, 2026
As she typed, Bess took the rhinestone from Nancy and examined it closely.
From "The Cinderella Ballet Mystery: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #4" by Carolyn Keene
The fact that I and countless other writers are typing out similar commentaries all but ensures it.
From Salon ● Oct. 14, 2026
As I was typing this, she started laughing and said “hey, make sure you put the word shagadelic” in there……..
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026
“You basically see if they’re typing or if they’re copy-pasting,” she says.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 30, 2026
One of them is typing furiously as his eyes dart from the screen to the robot: "The idea is it will grab that cylindrical piece and move it over there."
From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026
These accommodations are in place just for essays like this, the typing and the more time.
From "A Bird Will Soar" by Alison Green Myers
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