ge·ner·ic
jə-ˈner-ik 
-ˈne-rik
1
a
: relating to or characteristic of a whole group or class : general
"Romantic comedy" is the generic term for such films.
b
: not being or having a particular brand name
generic drugs
c
: having no particularly distinctive quality or application
generic restaurants
2
: relating to or having the rank of a biological genus
genericness
noun
: a product (such as a drug) that does not have a brand name
Examples of generic in a Sentence
Adjective
“Flu” is sometimes used as a generic term for any illness caused by a virus.
a love of big things—big cars, big meals—seems to be a generic trait of the American people
Noun
You can substitute generics for brand-name drugs on this health plan.
Recent Examples on the Web
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Mar. 2026
In the letter, dated March 5, the FDA cited three deaths among patients receiving semaglutide, the generic name for the medication in Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy, which were allegedly not reported properly to the agency.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Henry Skinner, STAT, 5 Mar. 2026
Following the expiration of the manufacturer’s patent, this figure fell to $10 billion per year, with generics accounting for 90 percent of consumption.
—Chris Pope, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for generic
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Adjective
The sentimental dilemma of whether Ryan, at one point, is going to go forward with the mission or turn the ship around to save Rocky is string-pulling of a very generic order.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Mar. 2026
In the letter, dated March 5, the FDA cited three deaths among patients receiving semaglutide, the generic name for the medication in Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy, which were allegedly not reported properly to the agency.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Noun
Even a truly novel, lifesaving antibiotic will be used sparingly, priced modestly, and ultimately displaced by generics.
—Henry Skinner, STAT, 5 Mar. 2026
Following the expiration of the manufacturer’s patent, this figure fell to $10 billion per year, with generics accounting for 90 percent of consumption.
—Chris Pope, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for generic
Cite this Entry
“Generic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/generic. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
generic
1 of 2 adjective
ge·ner·ic
jə-ˈner-ik
1
: not protected by trademark registration : nonproprietary
nylon and aspirin are generic names
—used especially in trademark law
2
: relating to or having the rank of a biological genus
generic
2 of 2 noun
: a generic drug
—usually used in plural
Legal Definition
generic
adjective
ge·ner·ic
jə-ˈner-ik
1
: common or descriptive and not entitled to trademark protection : nonproprietary
the generic name of a drug
2
: having a nonproprietary name
generic drugs
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