: intended to catch up to a theoretical norm or a competitor's accomplishments
: the act or fact of catching up or trying to catch up (as with a norm or competitor)
had to play catch-up
also
: an increase intended to achieve catch-up
caught up; catching up; catches up
1
2
: to provide with the latest information
catch me up on the news
1
a
: to travel fast enough to overtake an advance party
The soldier ran to catch up with his unit.
b
: to reach a state of parity (see parity sense 1) or of being able to cope
students who miss class have difficulty catching up
2
: to bring about arrest for illicit activities
the police caught up with the thieves
3
a
: to complete or compensate (see compensate sense 1) for something belatedly
catch up on lost sleep
b
: to acquire belated information
catch up on the news
Examples of catchup in a Sentence
Verb
a young idealist who got caught up in the political fanaticism of the times
completely caught up in opera ever since he saw La Traviata
Recent Examples on the Web
Dr. Ronald Premuroso, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
Students who participate in the catch-up classes show learning improvements after just one month.
—Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2023
Next week's rain potential has shifted slower, so the deficit should grow until potential activity Thu-Sat for a stronger catch-up attempt.
—David Streit, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2023
Josh Max, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Here, Chris and Min live in the converted garage abutting the home of Chris’s best friend Angela (Kelly Marie Tran) and Lee (Lily Gladstone), a lesbian couple caught up in a slew of expensive IVF treatments, the latest of which has failed.
—Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catchup
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
For those turning age 60, 61, 62 or 63 in 2025, the SECURE Act 2.0 allows a higher catch-up contribution limit of $11,250, resulting in a total allowable contribution of $34,750 in 2025.
—Dr. Ronald Premuroso, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
Students who participate in the catch-up classes show learning improvements after just one month.
—Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
Those 55 and older can contribute an additional $1,000 as a catch-up contribution.
—Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 17 Mar. 2023
Next week's rain potential has shifted slower, so the deficit should grow until potential activity Thu-Sat for a stronger catch-up attempt.
—David Streit, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2023
Verb
After a day of exploring Provence, guests can enjoy the hotel’s dramatic spa set in a former 18th century vaulted stone sable, meal celebrating local cuisine in one of the two gourmet restaurants, private tastings in the hotel’s private cellar, or catching up on some reading in the tranquil garden.
—Josh Max, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 2025
Here, Chris and Min live in the converted garage abutting the home of Chris’s best friend Angela (Kelly Marie Tran) and Lee (Lily Gladstone), a lesbian couple caught up in a slew of expensive IVF treatments, the latest of which has failed.
—Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for catchup
Cite this Entry
“Catchup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catchup. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share