sort sort /ˈsɔrt/

noun

1. () A category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality  ( variety , form , sort , kind )
   a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
    Sculpture is a form of art
   sculpture is a form of art
    What kinds of desserts are there?
   what kinds of desserts are there?
   
2. () An approximate definition or example  ( sort )
   an approximate definition or example
    She wore a sort of magenta dress
   she wore a sort of magenta dress
    She served a creamy sort of dessert thing
   she served a creamy sort of dessert thing
   
3. () A person of a particular character or nature  ( sort )
   a person of a particular character or nature
    What sort of person is he?
   what sort of person is he?
    He's a good sort
   he's a good sort
   
4. An operation that segregates items into groups according to a specified criterion  ( sort , sorting )
   an operation that segregates items into groups according to a specified criterion
    The bottleneck in mail delivery is the process of sorting
   the bottleneck in mail delivery is the process of sorting
   
   

verb

1. Arrange or order by classes or categories  ( assort , sort , class , classify , separate , sort out )
   arrange or order by classes or categories
    How would you classify these pottery shards--are they prehistoric?
   How would you classify these pottery shards--are they prehistoric?
   
2. Examine in order to test suitability  ( screen , screen out , sieve , sort )
   examine in order to test suitability
    Screen these samples
   screen these samples
    Screen the job applicants
   screen the job applicants