genus

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noun ge·nus \ˈjē-nəs, ˈje-\

Definition of genus

plural

genera

play \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 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

See genus defined for English-language learners

See genus defined for kids

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 of genus from the Web

Based on isolated teeth and a bone fragment, the new genus and species was first described by Italian paleontologists in 2006.

— ashley strickland, CNN, "Jurassic-era crocodiles had T. rex teeth", 4 July 2017
This is a hugely useful and varied species of the genus Ocimum, varying in flavors and aromas.

— margaret lauterbach, idahostatesman, "Plenty of choices when growing basil", 14 June 2017
Within the genus are deep reds, bright pinks, whites and bicolors.

— tom maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Plant Doctor: Color up with crinum lilies", 7 June 2017
Consider Elizabethkingia anophelis—a largely unremarkable microbe named after the pioneering microbiologist Elizabeth O. King, who discovered the genus, and the Anopheles mosquito, in whose gut it was first found in the Gambia.

— sarah zhang, The Atlantic, "How a Usually Harmless Bacteria Ended Up Killing 18 People in Wisconsin", 25 May 2017
Zilant, a winged serpent in Tatar mythology, inspired the new genus name.

— kacey deamer staff writer, Fox News, "'Winged Serpent' fossil found in 5-million-year-old sinkhole", 19 May 2017
The researchers analyzed genetic data from a number of Enterococcus species to determine when this genus originated.

— Fox News, "How 450-million-year-old bacteria evolved into a dangerous superbug", 17 May 2017
Aloe as a genus originates in sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar and the Arabian Peninsula.

— kenneth setzer, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Fairchild's Tropical Garden Column: Grow a beautiful medicinal garden with aloes", 15 May 2017
Two horns sat on its skull right behind the eyes, giving it a very Zuul-like look that inspired the genus name.

— amina khan, latimes.com, "Dinosaur named for 'Ghostbusters' creature found in Montana 75 million years after its death", 9 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'genus'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of genus

Latin gener-, genus birth, race, kind — more at kin

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First Known Use: 1551

See Words from the same year

Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, homunculus, phylogeny, substrate

GENUS Defined for English Language Learners

genus

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noun

Definition of genus for English Language Learners

biology : a group of related animals or plants that includes several or many different species

GENUS Defined for Kids

genus

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noun ge·nus \ˈjē-nəs\

Definition of genus for Students

plural

genera

\ˈje-nə-rə\

: a group of related living things (as plants or animals) that ranks below the family in scientific classification and is made up of one or more species

Medical Dictionary

genus

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noun ge·nus \ˈjē-nəs, ˈjen-əs\

Medical Definition of genus

plural

genera

\ˈjen-ə-rə\play

: 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