genericization

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/dʒəˌnɛɹɪsaɪˈzeɪʃən//dʒəˌnɛɹɪsɪˈzeɪʃən/

noun

The process of becoming generic; an instance of it.

“Near-synonyms: genericized trademark (an instance produced by the process); see also Thesaurus:generalization”

Scrabble 26

Meanings

noungenericization (countable and uncountable, plural genericizations)

plural genericizations

  1. countableuncountableThe process of becoming generic; an instance of it.

    Near-synonyms: genericized trademark (an instance produced by the process); see also Thesaurus:generalization

    Synonyms: genericized trademark, abstraction, despecification, generalization, universalization

  2. uncountablelawWith respect to a trademark, the act or process of becoming so widely identified as a reference for a type of product as to cease representing a particular brand or manufacturer of that type of product.

    Successful companies have strategies to protect their trademarks and fend off the creep of genericization, Mr. Taylor said.

    2024 September 19, Scott Cacciola, “Tupperware (the Brand) May Fail. Tupperware (the Word) Will Survive.”, in The New York Times

    Synonyms: genericide, trademark erosion

  3. countableAn instance of this act or process; a generic name thus created.

Synonyms & antonyms

nounThe process of becoming generic; an instance of it.

nounWith respect to a trademark, the act or process of becoming so widely identified as a reference for a type of product as to cease representing a particular brand or manufacturer of that type of product.

Origin

Cite this entry
APA

genericization. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/genericization

MLA

“genericization.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/genericization. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “genericization,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/genericization.

Source: genericization on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.