congener

noun

con·​ge·​ner ˈkän-jə-nər How to pronounce congener (audio) kən-ˈjē- How to pronounce congener (audio)
1
: a member of the same taxonomic genus as another plant or animal
2
: a person, organism, or thing resembling another in nature or action
the New England private schools and their congeners west of the AllegheniesOliver La Farge
3
: a chemical substance related to another
congeneric adjective
congenerous adjective

Examples of congener in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Pot stills result in a spirit that often contains a more complex mixture of congeners. Michael W. Crowder, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2023 Yeast fermentation yields other byproducts besides alcohol and carbon dioxide, including flavor compounds called congeners. Michael W. Crowder, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2023 Opt for clear liquor Clear liquors typically have fewer chemicals called congeners than the darker ones, Dr. Koob says. Samantha Lauriello, Health.com, 26 Aug. 2019 Stick to clear booze; darker spirits like whisky have more congeners in them. Liz Krieger, Harper's BAZAAR, 23 Nov. 2016 This is to separate the alcohol and congeners (at this point, called low wines) from the mash. Francine Maroukian, Popular Mechanics, 23 Mar. 2016

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'congener.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin, of the same kind, from com- + gener-, genus kind — more at kin

First Known Use

circa 1736, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of congener was circa 1736

Dictionary Entries Near congener

Cite this Entry

“Congener.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/congener. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

congener

noun
con·​ge·​ner ˈkän-jə-nər How to pronounce congener (audio) kən-ˈjē- How to pronounce congener (audio)
variants also cogener
1
: a member of the same taxonomic genus as another plant or animal
2
: a chemical substance related to another
tetracycline and its congeners
congeneric adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!