The term "Genovese" primarily refers to something related to the city of Genoa, located in Italy. This includes the local culture, cuisine, and dialect. The Genovese dialect is a variant of the Ligurian language, which has unique characteristics distinct from standard Italian. Additionally, "Genovese" is often associated with the Genovese crime family, a prominent organized crime group in the United States. Founded in the early 20th century, this family is part of the larger American Mafia and has been involved in various illegal activities, including extortion and racketeering.