generation
noun
gen·er·a·tion
ˌje-nə-ˈrā-shən 
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
Kenneth Koyen2
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
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
If frozen molecules can survive within these dusty structures, they may later be released into the interstellar medium as the nebula disperses, contributing complex material to future generations of stars and planetary systems.
—Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 15 Mar. 2026
Previously, proof of citizenship could go back additional generations to great-grandparents and beyond under the legal provision known as jus sanguinis.
—Mike Snider, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
Among my friends there were successful and not so successful artists, photographers, filmmakers, many of them diasporic or second-generation Filipinos, Alfonso being one of the latter.
—Han Ong, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026
Nine seasons into its existence in Major League Soccer, LAFC is on the hunt for a second MLS Cup, and more, under the direction of head coach Marc Dos Santos, plus another generation of stars fronted by Denis Bouanga and Son Heung-min.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for generation
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 15 Mar. 2026
Previously, proof of citizenship could go back additional generations to great-grandparents and beyond under the legal provision known as jus sanguinis.
—Mike Snider, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
Among my friends there were successful and not so successful artists, photographers, filmmakers, many of them diasporic or second-generation Filipinos, Alfonso being one of the latter.
—Han Ong, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026
Nine seasons into its existence in Major League Soccer, LAFC is on the hunt for a second MLS Cup, and more, under the direction of head coach Marc Dos Santos, plus another generation of stars fronted by Denis Bouanga and Son Heung-min.
—Josh Gross, Daily News, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for generation
Cite this Entry
“Generation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/generation. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
generation
noun
gen·er·a·tion
ˌjen-ə-ˈrā-shən
1
a
: those being a step in a line from one ancestor
a family that has lived in the same house for four generations
b
: a group of individuals born and living at the same time
c
: a type or class of objects developed from an earlier type
2
: the average length of time between the birth of parents and that of their offspring
3
: the action or process of generating
Medical Definition
generation
noun
gen·er·a·tion
ˌjen-ə-ˈrā-shən
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
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