ge·ner·ic
jə-ˈner-ik 
-ˈne-rik
1
a
: relating to or characteristic of a whole group or class : general
"Romantic comedy" is the generic term for such films.
b
: not being or having a particular brand name
generic drugs
c
: having no particularly distinctive quality or application
generic restaurants
2
: relating to or having the rank of a biological genus
genericness
noun
: a product (such as a drug) that does not have a brand name
Examples of generic in a Sentence
Adjective
“Flu” is sometimes used as a generic term for any illness caused by a virus.
a love of big things—big cars, big meals—seems to be a generic trait of the American people
Noun
You can substitute generics for brand-name drugs on this health plan.
Recent Examples on the Web
W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
First approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1996, this medication is now available in generic forms.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
Eric Youngstrom, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Some drug generics were supposed to be carved out of the deal, but details were still pending as of Thursday.
—Alix Martichoux, The Hill, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for generic
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
Democrats are doing fairly well in the generic congressional ballot, which tests which party voters prefer to control Congress.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 12 Sep. 2025
First approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1996, this medication is now available in generic forms.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
Similar exemptions are rumored for semiconductor equipment, select chemicals, and generics, but those await confirmation in forthcoming documents.
—Eric Youngstrom, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Some drug generics were supposed to be carved out of the deal, but details were still pending as of Thursday.
—Alix Martichoux, The Hill, 31 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for generic
Cite this Entry
“Generic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/generic. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
generic
1 of 2 adjective
ge·ner·ic
jə-ˈner-ik
1
: not protected by trademark registration : nonproprietary
nylon and aspirin are generic names
—used especially in trademark law
2
: relating to or having the rank of a biological genus
generic
2 of 2 noun
: a generic drug
—usually used in plural
Legal Definition
generic
adjective
ge·ner·ic
jə-ˈner-ik
1
: common or descriptive and not entitled to trademark protection : nonproprietary
the generic name of a drug
2
: having a nonproprietary name
generic drugs
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