generic name

plural generic names

1. biologyThe first word in a binominal name, which identifies the genus of the lifeform considered.

   Holonyms: species name (the binomial unit), binominal name, binomial name

   1 more example

   Its generic name is Staphylococcus, but you may know it better by the common name staph.

   Synonyms: genus name, generic epithet

2. pharmacymedicineA nonproprietary name given to a drug that is used to identify it irrespective of trademark.

   Its generic name is rosuvastatin, but you may know it better by the proprietary name Crestor.

   1 more example

   Seconal is the commercial name of the barbiturate quinalbarbitone. Its generic name is secobarbital.

   2001 October 14, Jason Burke, “Death of a princess”, in The Observer, London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 10 May 2014

   Antonyms: trade name

3. businessA similar nonproprietary name for any other product or service, denoting any member of the category.

   Its generic name is flying disc, but you may know it better by the proprietary name Frisbee. The generic name frisbee (lowercase) is used informally but not officially or legally.