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
Jackie Snow, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
Without that understanding, leaders can get seduced by the generic advice of outside consultants.
—Dev Patnaik, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Dr. Sejal Parekh, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2024
To secure favorable placement for their drugs on insurance formularies, pharmaceutical companies offer PBMs significant rebates—particularly for higher-cost, brand-name medications, even when less expensive generics or biosimilars are available.
—Robert Pearl, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for generic 
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Adjective
Some patients are using lower-than-recommended dosages of generic weight-loss drugs to slim down while saving money.
—Jackie Snow, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024
Without that understanding, leaders can get seduced by the generic advice of outside consultants.
—Dev Patnaik, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024
Noun
However, the authorized generic was not covered by her insurance.
—Dr. Sejal Parekh, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2024
To secure favorable placement for their drugs on insurance formularies, pharmaceutical companies offer PBMs significant rebates—particularly for higher-cost, brand-name medications, even when less expensive generics or biosimilars are available.
—Robert Pearl, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for generic
Dictionary Entries Near generic
Cite this Entry
“Generic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/generic. Accessed 23 Nov. 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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