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

• bracket
• category
• class
• classification
• division
• family
• grade
• group
• kind
• league
• order
• rank(s)
• rubric
• set
• species
• tier
• type

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

First, the insect spins a silk case, like many other species in its genus, Hyposmocoma. —Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 24 Apr. 2025

Sun Exposure: Full Sun Soil Type: Moist, Well-draining, Fertile Soil pH: Acidic to Neutral (5.8-7.0) The genus Cucurbita includes summer and winter squash, pumpkins, zucchini, and ornamental gourds. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025

Ocean Census researchers also located the guitar shark, which belongs to a genus known as Rhinobatos, off the coast of Mozambique and Tanzania. —Katie Hunt, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025

Within that genus, the most widespread lizard is the North American desert iguana, Dipsosaurus dorsalis, which has adapted to the desert heat of the U.S. Southwest and Northern Mexico, according to the study. —Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 17 Mar. 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