congener

noun

con·​ge·​ner ˈkän-jə-nər How to pronounce congener (audio) kən-ˈjē- How to pronounce congener (audio)
1
: a member of the same taxonomic genus as another plant or animal
2
: a person, organism, or thing resembling another in nature or action
the New England private schools and their congeners west of the Alleghenies— Oliver La Farge
3
: a chemical substance related to another
congeneric
ˌkän-jə-ˈner-ik How to pronounce congener (audio)
adjective
congenerous
kən-ˈjē-nə-rəs How to pronounce congener (audio)
-ˈje-nə-
(ˌ)kän- How to pronounce congener (audio)
adjective

Examples of congener in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
According to research, dark liquors like bourbon and brandy contain higher levels of congeners, or the chemicals produced during the fermentation process that give an alcohol its distinctive taste, smell and color. — Andee Tagle, NPR, 26 Nov. 2024 Pot stills retain more congeners—the compounds that give spirits their character. — Emily Price, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, of the same kind, from com- + gener-, genus kind — more at kin

First Known Use

circa 1736, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of congener was circa 1736

Rhymes for congener

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Browse Nearby Words

congenator
congener
congenial
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Congener.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/congener. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

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Medical Definition

congener

noun
con·​ge·​ner ˈkän-jə-nər How to pronounce congener (audio) kən-ˈjē- How to pronounce congener (audio)
variants also cogener
ˈkō-ˌjē-nər How to pronounce congener (audio) kō-ˈ How to pronounce congener (audio)
1
: a member of the same taxonomic genus as another plant or animal
2
: a chemical substance related to another
tetracycline and its congeners
congeneric
ˌkän-jə-ˈner-ik How to pronounce congener (audio)
adjective
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