generic name

Noun

generic name (plural generic names)

1. The first word in a binominal name, which identifies the genus of the lifeform considered.
   • Holonyms: species name (the binomial unit), binominal name, binomial name
   • Its generic name is Staphylococcus, but you may know it better by the common name staph.

   Synonyms:

   genus name, generic epithet

2. (pharmacy) A 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.
   • 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. A 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.