ge·ner·ic
jə-ˈner-ik 
-ˈne-rik
1
a
: relating to or characteristic of a whole group or class : general
"Romantic comedy" is the generic term for such films.
b
: not being or having a particular brand name
generic drugs
c
: having no particularly distinctive quality or application
generic restaurants
2
: relating to or having the rank of a biological genus
genericness
noun
: a product (such as a drug) that does not have a brand name
Synonyms
Examples of generic in a Sentence
Adjective
“Flu” is sometimes used as a generic term for any illness caused by a virus.
a love of big things—big cars, big meals—seems to be a generic trait of the American people
Noun
You can substitute generics for brand-name drugs on this health plan.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ed Silverman, STAT, 13 May 2024
Wines labeled Beaujolais Village are from 38 communes also located just south of here, while more generic AOC Beaujolais bottlings come from communes in the south of the region, which is flatter and has more clay in its vineyards.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 12 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for generic 
Adjective
Here’s why: The patents listed in the registry are cited by brand-name drugmakers to put their generic rivals on notice about certain types of patents that are claimed for a medicine.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 13 May 2024
Wines labeled Beaujolais Village are from 38 communes also located just south of here, while more generic AOC Beaujolais bottlings come from communes in the south of the region, which is flatter and has more clay in its vineyards.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 12 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for generic
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'generic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near generic
Cite this Entry
“Generic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/generic. Accessed 17 May. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
generic
1 of 2 adjective
ge·ner·ic
jə-ˈner-ik
1
: not protected by trademark registration : nonproprietary
nylon and aspirin are generic names
—used especially in trademark law
2
: relating to or having the rank of a biological genus
generic
2 of 2 noun
: a generic drug
—usually used in plural
Legal Definition
generic
adjective
ge·ner·ic
jə-ˈner-ik
1
: common or descriptive and not entitled to trademark protection : nonproprietary
the generic name of a drug
2
: having a nonproprietary name
generic drugs
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