genus Meaning & Definition
What Does Genus Mean?
Genus is used as a noun meaning A category in the classification of organisms, ranking below family (Lat. familia) and above species. It can also mean A taxon at this rank.
Genus at a Glance
| Part of speech | noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈdʒiːnəs/ |
| Plural | genera |
Genus Definition (Noun)
- A category in the classification of organisms, ranking below family (Lat. familia) and above species.
All magnolias belong to the genus Magnolia.
- A taxon at this rank.
In most cases, at subsequent mentions of the binomial name you can abbreviate the genus with no danger of confusing the reader.
- A group with common attributes.
- A natural number representing any of several related measures of the complexity of a given manifold or graph.
- Within a definition, a broader category of the defined concept.
- A type of tuning or intonation, used within an Ancient Greek tetrachord.
Noun
- A rank in the classification of organisms, below family and above species; a taxon at that rank.
All magnolias belong to the genus Magnolia.
Synonyms of Genus
The source does not list synonyms for this entry.
Genus synonyms and antonyms →Genus in a Sentence
All magnolias belong to the genus Magnolia.
Other species of the genus Bos are often called cattle or wild cattle.
There are only two genera and species of seadragons.
In most cases, at subsequent mentions of the binomial name you can abbreviate the genus with no danger of confusing the reader.
Word Forms & Grammar
genus (plural genera or genuses or (nonstandard) genusses or (nonstandard) genii)
Words That Rhyme With Genus
Origin of Genus
Borrowed from Latin genus (“birth, origin, a race, sort, kind”) from the root gen- in Latin gignō (“to beget, produce”). Doublet of gender and genre, further related to kin.