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

Members of the taxonomic genus Cucurbita, the half dozen or so original species have been hybridized and selected over the last 10,000 or so years to yield an impressive diversity of varieties. —Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 18 Oct. 2024

Traits such as a receding chin, strongly projecting snout, low and sloping forehead, and very small brain size placed Lucy in the genus Australopithecus. —Donald C. Johanson, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024

Despite their long snouts, the specimens could unambiguously be assigned to the genus Leucoraja due to the typical features of their claspers. —Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024

Some time ago, the taxonomic genus previously known as Aster was split in two. —Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 4 Oct. 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