noun
Uncommon
genus
JEE-nuhs
Genus (noun) means a biological classification rank grouping closely related species, sitting below family and above species. Example: “Lions and tigers belong to the genus Panthera.”
noun
1
A biological classification rank grouping closely related species, sitting below family and above species.
"Lions and tigers belong to the genus Panthera."
"Scientists placed the newly discovered beetle in an existing genus."
"Biology students must learn that a genus contains several closely related species."
2
A general category or kind sharing common features.
"The book was praised as a fine example of its genus."
"Detective stories form a genus of fiction with many familiar features."
"This tool belongs to a genus of devices designed for cutting."
How to use genus
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA scientific grouping of related living things, one level above species.
Common pairings
genus and species
a new genus
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Word forms
- Plural
- genera, genuses, genusses, genii
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Lions and tigers belong to the _____ Panthera.
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin genus ("birth, origin, kind"), from the same root that gives us gender and genre.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for genus
See all rhymes for genus →Frequently asked questions
What does “genus” mean?
The word “genus” means a biological classification rank grouping closely related species, sitting below family and above species. In plain terms, a scientific grouping of related living things, one level above species.
How do you pronounce “genus”?
“Genus” is pronounced JEE-nuhs (/ˈd͡ʒiːnəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “genus” in a sentence?
Here is “genus” used in a sentence: “Lions and tigers belong to the genus Panthera.”
What part of speech is “genus”?
“Genus” is a noun.
Where does the word “genus” come from?
The word “genus” comes from Latin. Borrowed from Latin genus ("birth, origin, kind"), from the same root that gives us gender and genre.
Is “genus” a common word?
“Genus” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “genus” have?
“Genus” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a biological classification rank grouping closely related species, sitting below family and above species.
What is the difference between a genus and a species?
A genus is a biological classification rank grouping closely related species, sitting above species in the taxonomic hierarchy. A species is a more specific rank within a genus, referring to a single distinct type of organism that can typically interbreed.
What is the difference between a genus and a family in biological classification?
A genus groups closely related species together, while a family is a broader rank that sits above genus and groups multiple related genera together.
How is a genus name written in a scientific species name?
In binomial nomenclature, the genus name is capitalized and italicized, and it is followed by a lowercase, italicized species name, as in Homo sapiens, where "Homo" is the genus.
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