Definition of generation
1a : a body of living beings constituting a single step in the line of descent from an ancestorb : a group of individuals born and living contemporaneously the younger generationc : a group of individuals having contemporaneously a status (such as that of students in a school) which each one holds only for a limited periodd : 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 : procreationb : the process of coming or bringing into being generation of incomec : 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
From the M-W Editors
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 of generation from the Web
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Some U.S. studies have suggested that generations better educated than their grandparents have somewhat less risk of dementia.
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Some U.S. studies have suggested that generations better educated than their grandparents have somewhat less risk of dementia.
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The building withstood the ravages of Mongols and generations of warlords, but was pulverized by the Islamic State's explosives.
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This gray area has only expanded as next-generation DNA sequencing has led to the growing use of gene panels, to look for mutations in a range of genes that may be related to a patient’s symptoms.
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TANEYCOMO: 50s, mostly clear, little generation early; ramping up in afternoon.
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But there is plenty of potential here, even if that golden generation has moved on.
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His daughter, Maggie Joyce Nettleton, was the only one in her generation to have children and live on the ranch.
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My and Freddie's job is to nurture this business and pass it off to future generations.
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.
Origin and Etymology of 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
Other Genetics Terms
GENERATION Defined for English Language Learners
generation
playDefinition of generation for English Language Learners
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: a group of people born and living during the same time
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: the people in a family born and living during the same time
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: the average length of time between the birth of parents and the birth of their children
GENERATION Defined for Kids
generation
playDefinition of generation for Students
1 : those being a single step in a line originating from one ancestor This family has lived in town for four generations.
2 : a group of individuals born and living at about the same time the younger generation
3 : the act or process of producing or creating something the generation of heat
Medical Dictionary
generation
playMedical Definition of generation
1a: a body of living beings constituting a single step in the line of descent from an ancestorb: a group of individuals born and living contemporaneously
2: the average span of time between the birth of parents and that of their offspring
3: the action or process of producing offspring : procreation
Learn More about generation
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See words that rhyme with generation Spanish Central: Translation of generation Nglish: Translation of generation for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of generation for Arabic speakers
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