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

• type
• category
• kind
• species

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

Homo sapiens had already evolved, but weren’t the only members of our genus on the planet, as our direct ancestors were joined by the neanderthals, the denisovians, and possibly by the final surviving members of Homo erectus. —Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 2 Oct. 2025

Researchers found two species of snakes belonging to the genus Dendrelaphis, or bronze backs, according to the study. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025

Well-preservation of the skin Lariosaurus is the name of an extinct nothosauroid genus — a type of marine reptile — that existed during the Middle Triassic period (roughly 247–235 million years ago). —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2025

Even then, those might not have identified specimens beyond genus or family. —Marion Renault, The Atlantic, 29 Sep. 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