generation

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

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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 These are the first Venona cables of our generation. — Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, "We Aid the Growth of Chinese Tyranny to Our Eternal Shame," 29 Nov. 2019 In this era of partisan divisions, Joanne Rogers often laments how much this generation of children could use the kindness radiated by her late husband. — NBC News, "Mr. Rogers' message of kindness and empathy is needed more than ever," 22 Nov. 2019 First created over a century ago in 1917 by L.D. Peeler, the unique soft drink is still owned and managed by the same family, now in its fifth generation of leadership. — Perri Ormont Blumberg, Southern Living, "Cheerwine Holiday Punch Is Back—for a Limited-Time Only," 18 Nov. 2019 While in the studio recording her new album, Selena Gomez needed a little inspiration from one of the most talented musicians of our generation: herself. — Kelsey Stiegman, Seventeen, "Selena Gomez Wore a T-Shirt With Her Own Face While in the Studio Recording Her New Album," 18 Nov. 2019 All those memes about snuggling cats in bed could just be an attempt to put a positive spin on the grim circumstances that have pushed this generation into retreat. — Sarah Todd, Quartzy, "Why millennials never want to leave their apartment anymore," 15 Nov. 2019 The sale, announced in August, is considered the largest on the North Slope in a generation. — Alex Demarban, Anchorage Daily News, "State: BP sale of Alaska assets to Hilcorp clears federal hurdle," 14 Nov. 2019 Another aroid species that has become a bona fide object of obsession for this new generation of collectors is the eminently photogenic variegated monstera, whose leaves are marbled with painterly splashes of white. — Gray Chapman, New York Times, "How Much Would You Pay for a Houseplant?," 13 Nov. 2019 On a car of this generation, blowing some blueish smoke after coasting downhill is not unusual. — Ray Magliozzi, courant.com, "Car Talk: They don’t build cars like this anymore," 10 Nov. 2019

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.

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Last Updated

3 Dec 2019

Cite this Entry

“Generation.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/generation. Accessed 8 December 2019.

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More Definitions for generation

generation

noun