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
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
Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
However, for pure silver bullion investors who are focused solely on maximizing ounces per dollar, generic rounds deliver the most metal for your money.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
Chris Pope, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
Also, some consumers might be able to use available generics that cost less than brand-name medications.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for generic
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Adjective
Trump’s weak polling would typically suggest that Democrats should win big — which could still happen — but generic congressional polling has not blown out in Democrats’ favor the way it would be expected to if a landslide was imminent.
—Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
However, for pure silver bullion investors who are focused solely on maximizing ounces per dollar, generic rounds deliver the most metal for your money.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
Following the expiration of the manufacturer’s patent, this figure fell to $10 billion per year, with generics accounting for 90 percent of consumption.
—Chris Pope, Washington Post, 10 Feb. 2026
Also, some consumers might be able to use available generics that cost less than brand-name medications.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for generic
Cite this Entry
“Generic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/generic. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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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