genus

noun

ge·​nus ˈjē-nəs  ˈje- 

plural genera ˈje-nə-rə  also genuses

1

: a class, kind, or group marked by common characteristics or by one common characteristic

specifically : a category of biological classification ranking between the family and the species, comprising structurally or phylogenetically (see phylogenetic sense 2) related species or an isolated species exhibiting unusual differentiation, and being designated by a Latin or latinized capitalized singular noun

2

: a class of objects divided into several subordinate species

Synonyms

• bracket
• category
• class
• classification
• division
• family
• grade
• group
• kind
• league
• order
• rank(s)
• rubric
• set
• species
• tier
• type

Examples of genus in a Sentence

the crime novel, written from the criminal's perspective, is sometimes seen as a particular species of the detective story genus

Recent Examples on the Web

While the exact species isn’t clear (the genus includes seven types), they are all considered threatened or critically endangered. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 Jan. 2025

The genus includes 200 or so species of trees and shrubs found mostly in Africa, Madagascar and the Arabian Peninsula. —Franz Lidz, New York Times, 22 Dec. 2024

For example, if a butterfly like Papilio glaucus were transferred to a genus with a feminine name, the epithet glaucus (masculine form) would be adjusted to glauca to agree in gender with the new genus. —The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 12 Dec. 2024

This similarity prompted the researchers to investigate how fungi in these bogs fight Mycobacterium species, the same bacterial genus that includes Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which causes TB. —Tom Howarth, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin gener-, genus birth, race, kind — more at kin

First Known Use

1551, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing genus

• form genus
• type genus

Kids Definition

genus

noun

ge·​nus ˈjē-nəs 

plural genera ˈjen-ə-rə 

: a category of classification in biology that ranks between the family and the species, contains related species, and is named by a capitalized noun formed in Latin

Medical Definition

genus

noun

ge·​nus ˈjē-nəs  ˈjen-əs 

plural genera ˈjen-ə-rə 

: a class, kind, or group marked by common characteristics or by one common characteristic

specifically : a category of biological classification ranking between the family and the species, comprising structurally or phylogenetically related species or an isolated species exhibiting unusual differentiation, and designated by a Latin or latinized capitalized singular noun