plural genera
ˈje-nə-rə 
also genuses
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
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
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The woolly rhinoceros — known to scientists as any species of rhinos under the genus Coelodonta — roamed the planet up till 12,000 years ago, spreading all over Asia, Europe, and North Africa.
—
Sofia Quaglia, Discover Magazine, 1 Nov. 2023
The species within those genuses can each transmit multiple viruses or parasites.
—Ritu Prasad, CNN, 12 Sep. 2023
Most plants in the parasitic genus Rafflesia—which contains the world’s largest flower—may be at risk of extinction, new research suggests.
—Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Sep. 2023
But the genus—which includes the largest flowers in the world, at more than a meter across—is at risk due to the destruction of forest habitats in Southeast Asia.
—WIRED, 23 Sep. 2023
Chili peppers are varieties of the berry-fruit of plants from the genus Capsicum, which are members of the nightshade family Solanaceae.
—Moiya McTier, Popular Science, 2 Aug. 2023
The Duck River Darter Snapper—a member of a genus that has already lost most of its species to extinction—lures and then clamps its shell shut on the head of a hapless fish, inoculating it with larvae.
—Robert Kunzig, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2023
As the scientists who made the find explained in the paper that described the new species — published in the journal Fossils — the genus' name comes from the Latin word 'stella' meaning star, and 'dens' meaning tooth.
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 10 Oct. 2023
But identifying this genus of fungus is extremely difficult.
—Rebecca Heilweil, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Aug. 2023
See More
Sofia Quaglia, Discover Magazine, 1 Nov. 2023
The species within those genuses can each transmit multiple viruses or parasites.
—Ritu Prasad, CNN, 12 Sep. 2023
Most plants in the parasitic genus Rafflesia—which contains the world’s largest flower—may be at risk of extinction, new research suggests.
—Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Sep. 2023
But the genus—which includes the largest flowers in the world, at more than a meter across—is at risk due to the destruction of forest habitats in Southeast Asia.
—WIRED, 23 Sep. 2023
Chili peppers are varieties of the berry-fruit of plants from the genus Capsicum, which are members of the nightshade family Solanaceae.
—Moiya McTier, Popular Science, 2 Aug. 2023
The Duck River Darter Snapper—a member of a genus that has already lost most of its species to extinction—lures and then clamps its shell shut on the head of a hapless fish, inoculating it with larvae.
—Robert Kunzig, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2023
As the scientists who made the find explained in the paper that described the new species — published in the journal Fossils — the genus' name comes from the Latin word 'stella' meaning star, and 'dens' meaning tooth.
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 10 Oct. 2023
But identifying this genus of fungus is extremely difficult.
—Rebecca Heilweil, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Aug. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'genus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Phrases Containing genus
Dictionary Entries Near genus
Cite this Entry
“Genus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/genus. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
Medical Definition
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
More from Merriam-Webster on genus
Nglish: Translation of genus for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of genus for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about genus
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