next-generation

adjective

next-gen·​er·​a·​tion ˈnekst-ˌje-nə-ˈrā-shən 

variants or less commonly next generation

: of or relating to a potential, forthcoming, or brand-new version of an existing product or technology : next-gen

The older hardware companies don't have the field to themselves. They're being challenged by waves of start-ups with next-generation technology.

—Bethany McLean

The finding has added fuel to a long-standing dispute over the Navy's next-generation sonar technology—a system that environmentalists say poses grave risks to marine mammals.

—David Kohn

Mr. [Lewis] Dale [General Motor's director of public policy] said the world's largest automaker spent $1 billion on electric vehicle and fuel cell research and prototype production in the past decade. He said GM doesn't want to make just 50,000 next generation vehicles, but rather sell millions.

—Mike Pare

Examples of next-generation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The announcement was made at the Air and Space Forces Association Air Warfare Symposium, where defense leaders gathered to discuss next-generation airpower. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 25 Feb. 2026

Groundbreaking is planned for this spring with the state-of-the-art facilities, which will support the production of next-generation neuroscience and obesity medicines, slated to be fully operational in 2029. —Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026

Mira Murati, former OpenAI chief technology officer, launched Thinking Machines Lab to push the boundaries of next-generation AI. —Julia Boorstin, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2026

Solid-state batteries like Donut Lab’s represent the next evolutionary step, and potentially a big one, with automakers including Toyota and Mercedes also working on the next-generation battery tech. —Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 24 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for next-generation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration