as in type
one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic
the crime novel, written from the criminal's perspective, is sometimes seen as a particular species of the detective story genus
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Recent Examples of genus
Linnaeus was the father of binomial nomenclature, a categorizing system that designates a genus and a species name for every living organism.
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Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026
The genus Candida encompasses about 200 different species.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 8 Jan. 2026
Giardia is a genus of microscopic parasites that frequently cause outbreaks of diarrhea to this day.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Dec. 2025
Similar events elsewhere have involved parasitic ciliates in the genus ‘Philaster’.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genus
Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026
The genus Candida encompasses about 200 different species.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 8 Jan. 2026
Giardia is a genus of microscopic parasites that frequently cause outbreaks of diarrhea to this day.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 19 Dec. 2025
Similar events elsewhere have involved parasitic ciliates in the genus ‘Philaster’.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for genus
Recent Examples of Synonyms for genus
Noun
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The cameras can be set up using USB or a single category cable using the optional Rally AI Camera Extension Kit.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
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While some categories have specific eligibility requirements, all films need to meet a baseline set of criteria to be considered.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Under that proposal, liquor stores, vape shops, pawn shops and payday lenders would have to be 1,000 feet from an existing business of the same kind, either in a direct line or through an intersection.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
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In 2023, the Manteca Chief of Police crafted a first-of-its-kind local ordinance specifically to stop swerving.—
Tori Apodaca,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In California, wolves are protected by both the federal and state endangered species acts.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
6 Jan. 2026
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Once plentiful, the population crashed beginning in the 1940s before they were added to the endangered species list in 1970.—
Jenny Staletovich,
Miami Herald,
31 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Genus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/genus. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
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