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

It will be powered by two next-generation K22 nuclear reactors, paired with nuclear-electric propulsion. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 19 Mar. 2026

Mahan also picked up the support this week of Majority Democrats — a group formed last year that brands itself as the next-generation of leaders who are willing to break with the party status quo. —Grace Hase, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026

Intel’s next-generation Core Ultra 200HX Plus mobile-CPU series is here, built for high-performance gaming laptops, content-creation machines, and mobile workstations. —James Peckham, PC Magazine, 17 Mar. 2026

Lilly’s got an obesity pill on the way, and rival Novo Nordisk’s next-generation pipeline leaves much to be desired. —Jim Cramer, CNBC, 17 Mar. 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