Definition of genus
genera
play \ˈje-nə-rə\ alsogenuses
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
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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
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Enterococcus is a large genus of bacteria found in the human intestine and in human sewage pollution.
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Based on isolated teeth and a bone fragment, the new genus and species was first described by Italian paleontologists in 2006.
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This is a hugely useful and varied species of the genus Ocimum, varying in flavors and aromas.
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Within the genus are deep reds, bright pinks, whites and bicolors.
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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.
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Dr. Siddall pointed out that some newts in the genus Taricha in the forests of the Pacific Northwest are just as poisonous as the poison dart frogs of tropical South and Central America.
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Zilant, a winged serpent in Tatar mythology, inspired the new genus name.
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The researchers analyzed genetic data from a number of Enterococcus species to determine when this genus originated.
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
Other Biology Terms
GENUS Defined for English Language Learners
genus
playDefinition of genus for English Language Learners
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biology : a group of related animals or plants that includes several or many different species
GENUS Defined for Kids
genus
playDefinition of genus for Students
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
Medical Definition of genus
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
Learn More about genus
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See words that rhyme with genus Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for genus Spanish Central: Translation of 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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