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

The fish have the same breeding practice as L. mawe, and other species in their genus. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 6 June 2025

The first word in an organism’s name is its genus, which is a group of related species, such as Panthera for lions, tigers and leopards. —Nicholas Green, The Conversation, 3 June 2025

It has been determined to be a new strain through morphological observation, genome sequencing, phylogenetic analysis, and metabolic profiling, belonging to the genus Niallia within the family Cytobacillaceae. —Andrew Jones, Space.com, 21 May 2025

Summary Pistachio nuts are members of the Pistacia genus, which belongs to the Anacardiaceae family. —Hannah Coakley, Msph, Rdn, Verywell Health, 10 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for genus

• cleanness
• freeness
• minas
• penis
• venous
• venus
• arteriovenous
• dominus
• fraxinus
• lupinus
• ricinus
• silenus

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