What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
genus
Example
The genus Canis includes dogs, wolves, and foxes. [genus: noun]
Example
This plant belongs to the genus Rosa. [genus: noun]
taxon
Example
The order Carnivora is a taxon that includes all carnivorous mammals. [taxon: noun]
Example
The taxonomic classification of this organism is at the genus level. [taxonomic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Genus is a more commonly used term in biology than taxon.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between genus and taxon?
Both genus and taxon are formal terms used in scientific contexts, particularly in biology and taxonomy.
