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
The orchid family is organized into several genera (each called a genus) which may contain from one to many species.
—
Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2025
The creature belongs to a genus of giant isopods found in abundance in deep-sea waters.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025
Alyssum is a genus of plants in the Mustard family (Brassicaceae Burnett) and includes species such as Alyssum wulfenianum.
—Laura Murphy, JSTOR Daily, 28 Feb. 2025
Elsewhere in the genus, these sculptural plants range from distinctly vertical, achieving shrublike stature, to low, nest-like mounds of foliage.
—Margaret Roach, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genus
Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2025
The creature belongs to a genus of giant isopods found in abundance in deep-sea waters.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025
Alyssum is a genus of plants in the Mustard family (Brassicaceae Burnett) and includes species such as Alyssum wulfenianum.
—Laura Murphy, JSTOR Daily, 28 Feb. 2025
Elsewhere in the genus, these sculptural plants range from distinctly vertical, achieving shrublike stature, to low, nest-like mounds of foliage.
—Margaret Roach, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genus
Noun
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Slacks and a dress are an easy choice for men looking to fit this category.—
Shelby Wax,
Vogue,
29 Mar. 2025
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Since 2012, Puerto Rico has not been allowed to submit a film for the Oscars in the international feature category.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2025
Noun
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View Recipe Fruits of all kinds, especially berries, grapes, apples, and citrus, are celebrated by health experts for their anti-inflammatory properties.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Mar. 2025
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Maybe not, and hopefully not, to the same extent—hopefully not ever finding themselves in the position of total dependence on Russian energy of any kind.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
18 Mar. 2025
Noun
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For that reason, the species is a favorite among underwater photographers.—
Carlyn Kranking,
Smithsonian Magazine,
25 Mar. 2025
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Southern temperatures are not ideal for most wild tulip species multiplication either.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Genus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genus. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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