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

Trump received 21 percent of votes from that generation, just behind Clinton with 25 percent. — Josh Magness, miamiherald, "Trump is as popular as Obama was in the middle of his first presidential term, survey says," 12 July 2018 Their three main projects at the moment are a documentary film, a stage show, and footwork summer camps-all intended to tell the story of footwork, to grow the community, and to pass footwork along to the next generation. — Anna White, Chicago Reader, "Hip-Hop / Music Chicago's footwork community takes center stage at the MCA," 6 July 2018 This requires reform of the current welfare system, which while well intended, often perpetuates poverty from one generation to the next. — charlotteobserver, "Ashley Christensen," 3 July 2018 At the heartrending gathering, friends and colleagues lauded him as a dedicated professional who was committed to the craft of journalism and loved mentoring the next generation of reporters. — David Mcfadden, Anchorage Daily News, "Suspect wrote he aimed to kill everyone at Maryland newsroom," 3 July 2018 At the heartrending gathering for Hiaasen, friends and colleagues lauded him as a dedicated professional who was committed to the craft of journalism and loved mentoring the next generation of reporters. — David Mcfadden, The Seattle Times, "Overflow crowd gathers to honor slain Maryland journalist," 2 July 2018 Of course, there’s a long Southern tradition of naming the next generation after those that have come before and Nameberry’s list includes plenty of Southern favorites. — Melissa Locker, Southern Living, "These 1918 Baby Names Are Due For a Comeback," 2 July 2018 Perreira is coaching this team as a way of giving back to the next generation. — Atreya Verma, azcentral, "Volleyball Festival returns to Phoenix, brings international flair," 29 June 2018 Workday has made concerted efforts to serve and retain talent from every generation of its workforce. — Ed Frauenheim, Fortune, "How Workday Became One of the Best Places to Work for Millennials," 26 June 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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