as in type
one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic
the crime novel, written from the criminal's perspective, is sometimes seen as a particular species of the detective story genus
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Recent Examples of genus
However, reports of unidentified larvae from the Prionus beetle genus feeding on and damaging blueberry bush roots go back to 2010.
—
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 3 June 2026
Death cap mushrooms are part of the Amanita genus.
—Sacbee.com, 1 June 2026
Ginseng comes from the root of several plant species in the Panax genus.
—Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 30 May 2026
Astilbe is a noun meaning any of a genus of chiefly Asian perennials of the saxifrage family that have simple or usually compound leaves and are widely cultivated for their panicles of usually white, pink, or red flowers.
—City News Service, Daily News, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for genus
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 3 June 2026
Death cap mushrooms are part of the Amanita genus.
—Sacbee.com, 1 June 2026
Ginseng comes from the root of several plant species in the Panax genus.
—Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 30 May 2026
Astilbe is a noun meaning any of a genus of chiefly Asian perennials of the saxifrage family that have simple or usually compound leaves and are widely cultivated for their panicles of usually white, pink, or red flowers.
—City News Service, Daily News, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for genus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genus
Noun
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The system focuses on detecting and identifying Class 1 drones, which are among the smallest categories of military and commercial unmanned aircraft.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
18 June 2026
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So, without further ado, here is the ballot for the other sports/colleges category.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2026
Noun
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This one-of-a-kind woman heads the collection founded in its day by Emile Hermès (1871–1951)—an extraordinary cabinet of curiosities whose doors are occasionally opened to a select few on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré.—
Pierre Groppo,
Vanity Fair,
19 June 2026
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Earlier this year, Moderna’s data was at the center of a highly unusual public dispute as a then-top FDA official blocked the company’s application for its first-of-its-kind shot.—
Lauran Neergaard,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Noun
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New World Screwworms are a species of fly that feeds on the flesh and tissue of warm-blooded animals and people.—
Christa Swanson,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
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Others are from extinct whales, including a species new to science named Pterocetus diamantinae.—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Genus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genus. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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