Generation X

noun

: the generation of people born in the 1960s and 1970s
If you're a member of Generation X, chances are you may be feeling that "Reality Bites" when it comes to your retirement planning.Lorie Konish
The younger portion of the network's 12-to-34-year-old target audience … exhibited different tastes and sensibilities from the post-baby boom Generation X.Meg James
compare generation y, generation z
Generation Xer noun

Examples of Generation X 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.
The Gen X Leadership Imperative Organizations overlooking Generation X do so at their own risk. Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025 Burke joined with Matlock again in 2011, for the International Swingers with one-time Generation X guitarist James Stevenson of Generation X and singer Gary Twinn of Supernaut. A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 7 Apr. 2025 About two-thirds of Generation Z and millennials use mobile banking apps most often, while 55% of Generation X customers do, the association said in a news release. David Staats, Idaho Statesman, 12 Mar. 2025 The survey also showed that younger generations are more likely to be optimistic, with 59 percent of Generation Z and millennial respondents reporting optimism, compared to 60 percent of Generation X members and 48 percent of Baby Boomers. Joanne Haner, The Hill, 18 Dec. 2024 Save your paperwork More:Reality bites: Is Generation X in denial about its own impending retirement? Susan Tompor, USA TODAY, 3 Nov. 2024 Is Generation X in denial about its own impending retirement? Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 19 Oct. 2024 On the upside, women are significantly more likely to get a collect degree, according to the report -- nearly 44% of millennial women compared to 28% of Generation X women. Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 30 Nov. 2023 However, incarceration rates fell to 69.7 women in prison per 100,000 between 2019 and 2021 compared to 86 per 100,000 when Generation X women were young adults between 1999 and 2001. Arianna Johnson, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1987, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Generation X was in 1987

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Cite this Entry

“Generation X.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Generation%20X. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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