generation

noun gen·er·a·tion \ ˌje-nə-ˈrā-shən \

Definition of generation

1 a :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

2 a :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

—

generational

play \ˌje-nə-ˈrā-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl\ adjective

—

generationally

play \ˌje-nə-ˈrā-shnə-lē, shə-nᵊl-ē\ adverb

See generation defined for English-language learners

See generation defined for kids

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

Some U.S. studies have suggested that generations better educated than their grandparents have somewhat less risk of dementia.

— lauran neergaard, The Seattle Times, "Lifestyle changes may help stave off Alzheimer’s," 20 July 2017
Some U.S. studies have suggested that generations better educated than their grandparents have somewhat less risk of dementia.

— Bloomberg.com, "Lifestyle Changes May Help Stave Off Alzheimer's," 20 July 2017
The building withstood the ravages of Mongols and generations of warlords, but was pulverized by the Islamic State's explosives.

— ishaan tharoor, Washington Post, "A bird’s-eye view of the ruins of Mosul," 20 July 2017
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.

— carrie arnold, The Atlantic, "The Uncertain Future of Genetic Testing," 19 July 2017
TANEYCOMO: 50s, mostly clear, little generation early; ramping up in afternoon.

— bruce janssen, kansascity, "Fishing report for July 20," 19 July 2017
But there is plenty of potential here, even if that golden generation has moved on.

— zach osterman, The Courier-Journal, "Position primer: Offensive line stocked again for IU," 18 July 2017
His daughter, Maggie Joyce Nettleton, was the only one in her generation to have children and live on the ranch.

— zach kyle, idahostatesman, "Water-rights victory made this Idaho ranch owner a ‘rock star’," 18 July 2017
My and Freddie's job is to nurture this business and pass it off to future generations.

— jonah flicker, Esquire, "Jim Beam's Newest Release Won't Be a Bourbon," 14 July 2017

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Other Genetics Terms

chimera, hermaphrodite, plasticity

GENERATION Defined for English Language Learners

generation

noun

Definition of generation for English Language Learners

: a group of people born and living during the same time
: the people in a family born and living during the same time
: the average length of time between the birth of parents and the birth of their children

GENERATION Defined for Kids

generation

noun gen·er·a·tion \ ˌje-nə-ˈrā-shən \

Definition 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

noun gen·er·a·tion \ ˌjen-ə-ˈrā-shən \

medical Definition of generation

1 a :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

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

—

generational

play \-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl\ adjective

Learn More about generation

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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generation

Definition of generation

generational

generationally

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Origin and Etymology of generation

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GENERATION Defined for English Language Learners

generation

Definition of generation for English Language Learners

GENERATION Defined for Kids

generation

Definition of generation for Students

Medical Dictionary

generation

medical Definition of generation

generational

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