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

Its head is also much larger than other species in the genus. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2024

Talbot Bay, seen from the bow of Seabourn Pursuit Elise Hassey Cliffs in the Buccaneer Archipelago Elise Hassey Though younger, the boab shares the same genus as the baobab, East Africa's Tree of Life. —Erin Florio, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Nov. 2024

Ethiopian red hot pokers are perennial flowers of the Kniphofia genus native to African nation that typically bloom between May and October. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 20 Nov. 2024

Rhododendron and Azaleas Azaleas are a part of the genus of Rhododendron, making their ideal pruning times the same. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 25 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