Meaning of the word "catch all" in English

What does "catch all" mean in English? Explore the meaning, pronunciation, and specific usage of this word with Lingoland.

catch all

US /ˈkætʃ ɔːl/
UK /ˈkætʃ ɔːl/

Noun

a thing that is designed to include or deal with a wide variety of items or eventualities, especially one that is vaguely defined

Example:
The term 'alternative medicine' is a catch-all for many different practices.
The new policy is a catch-all for various minor offenses.

Adjective

designed to include or deal with a wide variety of items or eventualities

Example:
The new software has a catch-all feature for managing different file types.
They created a catch-all category for miscellaneous expenses.