generation

noun

gen·er·a·tion | \ ˌje-nə-ˈrā-shən

Definition of generation

1a : a body of living beings constituting a single step in the line of descent from an ancestor

b : a group of individuals born and living contemporaneously the younger generation

c : a group of individuals having contemporaneously a status (such as that of students in a school) which each one holds only for a limited period

d : a type or class of objects usually developed from an earlier type first of the … new generation of powerful supersonic fighters— Kenneth Koyen

2a : the action or process of producing offspring : procreation

b : the process of coming or bringing into being generation of income

c : origination by a generating process : production especially : formation of a geometric figure by motion of another

3 : the average span of time between the birth of parents and that of their offspring

Other Words from generation Example Sentences Learn More about generation

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Other Words from generation

generational \ ˌje-nə-ˈrā-shnəl

, -shə-nᵊl \ adjective

generationally \ ˌje-nə-ˈrā-shnə-lē

, shə-nᵊl-ē \ adverb

Examples of generation in a Sentence

She was worshipped by a generation of moviegoers. He was a hero to generations of students. We need to preserve these resources for future generations. His books are popular among members of the younger generation. That family has lived in the same house for four generations. The house has been passed down in the family from generation to generation. He has held that position for a generation. No one dreamed that such things would be possible a generation ago. The company claims to be developing the next generation of portable computers.

Recent Examples on the Web

Actual horsepower and torque numbers haven't changed much in the two-and-a-half decades between generations, with the 1993 car making 320 horsepower and 315 lb-ft and the 2020 model producing 335 horsepower and 365 lb-ft. — Daniel Golson, Car and Driver, "Here's How Our 2020 Toyota Supra Test Numbers Compare to the 1993 Supra Turbo's," 15 May 2019 Jayne recalls a similar incident, of a client whose home had a vitrine which every generation had put things in. — Hadley Keller, House Beautiful, "Why These Designers Say You Should Embrace Clutter," 13 May 2019 Some 27% of next year’s electorate will belong to that generation, born between 1981 and 1996—almost exactly matched with the 28% comprised of baby boomers (1946-64). — Joseph C. Sternberg, WSJ, "Boomer Bequest Is Millennial Misery," 13 May 2019 And the younger generation, kind of, is yearning for that. — Jennifer Aldrich, Country Living, "Here's What 'Blue Bloods' Star Bridget Moynahan Is Eating During the Family Dinners," 3 May 2019 For generations, men have been taught to reject traits like gentleness and sensitivity, leaving them without the tools to deal with internalized anger and frustration. — Melanie Hamlett, Harper's BAZAAR, "Men Have No Friends and Women Bear the Burden," 2 May 2019 And solar generation panels have gotten far more affordable. — Cotton Codinha, Allure, "7 Influential People on Environmental Advocacy in the Beauty Industry," 22 Apr. 2019 There is also another option that costs $39.99 a month to watch live TV online and on iOS, Android, Roku, Fire TV & Fire Stick, Apple TV (4th generation), LG (select TVs), Nintendo Switch, Chromecast, Xbox One & Xbox 360, and Samsung (select TVs). — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "'This Is Us' Season 4 Sounds Like It's Going to Be a REALLY Hard One for Fans," 19 Mar. 2019 One generation’s eyesore, though, is another’s treat, and now brutalism is experiencing a resurgence. — Lauren Ho, Condé Nast Traveler, "Architectural Reboot: The Return of Brutalism," 20 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'generation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for generation

Middle English generacioun "procreation, development, offspring, lineage," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French generacion, borrowed from Late Latin generātiōn-, generātiō, going back to Latin, "procreation," from generāre "to bring into being, generate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

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