generation

noun

Save Word

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 Phrases Containing generation Learn More About generation

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web Using the power consumed by the skyscraper through solar and wind generation, the towers can transfer this raw material to a high-temperature pressure tank to help generate clouds and pure water. — Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 17 May 2022 Looking back to the NES, a Nintendo console generation has never lasted longer than seven years. — Jacob Siegal, BGR, 16 May 2022 Target is focused on HBCUs because of their disproportionate success in graduating African American students, especially those who are first generation college students and from low-income families. — Marybeth Gasman, Forbes, 16 May 2022 The prospect of supply shortages comes as the U.S. power grid transitions from conventional power plants fueled by coal and natural gas to wind and solar farms, which are among the cleanest and cheapest forms of generation. — Katherine Blunt, WSJ, 16 May 2022 In Texas, this prolonged heat wave has caused six power generation facilities to trip offline resulting in loss of electricity, according to a statement released by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). — Allison Chinchar, CNN, 15 May 2022 There is an entire generation of NBA defenders told to flop around like a fresh catch on the deck of a fishing boat. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 14 May 2022 This afternoon, six power generation facilities tripped offline resulting in the loss of approximately 2,9000 [megawatts] of electricity. — Dan Carson, Chron, 13 May 2022 Driven by a young generation that wants change, waning support for Zimbabwe’s Zanu-PF party could be a bellwether for the first democratic transition since independence in 1980. — Jeffrey Moyo, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 May 2022 See More

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