genericization

[ juh-ner-i-sahy-zey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the process in which a trademark or proprietary name becomes widely perceived as a common noun or verb describing the type of product or service, often losing brand recognition as a consequence.

Other Words From

• ge·ner·i·cize [j, uh, -, ner, -i-sahyz], verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of genericization¹

First recorded in 1965–70; generic ( def ) + -ization ( def )