generation

noun

Definition of generationnext
1
as in production
the act or instance of producing something Our economy relies on the generation of new ideas. The organization has turned its focus toward the generation of solar energy.

Related Words

Relevance
2
as in variety
a group or class of things that are developed from an earlier type The automaker is set to release the newest generation of electric vehicles.

Related Words
3
as in year
the length of time between the birth of parents and the birth of their children She has been at the job for a generation, and is seen as a motherly figure to her younger coworkers.

Related Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of generation These payloads are often used to give students experience and help train the next generation of space workers exploring the cosmos. — Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti, The Conversation, 28 Oct. 2026 Democrats target Georgia Senate Republicans have held majorities in both the chambers of the Georgia General Assembly for a generation. — AJC.com, 28 Oct. 2026 The revival, however, is a new proposition for a generation with no muscle memory for heels. — Laura Neilson, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2026 The event’s organizer, the British Fashion Council, said Wednesday that the award acknowledges Yamamoto’s contribution to the global fashion industry and his influence on generations of designers. — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for generation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for generation
  1. production
  2. variety
  3. year
  4. creation
  5. category
  6. era
  7. development
  8. section
Noun
  • Ingrid traveled to California to research pitaya, studying different varieties, cultivation techniques, production systems, and all the potential benefits of introducing the crop to Puerto Rico.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The steps come as film and TV production in the area continues on a downward trend.
    — Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of production
Noun
  • Locals claimed that drinking it was helpful for a variety of respiratory and digestive problems.
    — D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
  • That includes cards such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), which comes with a variety of excellent travel insurance benefits and the American Express® Gold Card, which is a rewarding option for dining and grocery purchases.
    — Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of variety
Noun
  • The defense contractor has secured a three-year agreement worth up to $60 million to advance the weapon through flight performance testing.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Every year after Halloween, Spirit Halloween’s stores empty out and the signs come down.
    — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of year
Noun
  • University of California, Berkeley economist Enrico Moretti finds that innovative jobs like these support the creation of up to five new jobs in the area.
    — Max Harden, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The craft is another important cultural component of his Haida-Tsimshian heritage, and his creations are an act of resistance and cultural preservation—carrying on the work of his grandfather, Jones Yeltatzie.
    — Kate Nelson, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of creation
Noun
  • The complete list of Power 100 honorees — leaders chosen across 11 categories — is available on the Ebony website.
    — Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Shouldn’t raising a child with debilitating epilepsy earn me some sort of exemption in the diagnosis category?
    — Jen Murphy Parker, Flow Space, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of category
Noun
  • Goal To Sleep With 5,000 Women Karmy-Jones repeatedly brought up Brand’s promiscuity during the era the allegations were alleged to have taken place.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The character’s outfits were designed to reflect an era when gender fluidity was just emerging, thanks to the androgynous style of New Romantic stars like Duran Duran’s Nick Rhodes.
    — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of era
Noun
  • Concerns over disruptions to oil flows have kept a geopolitical risk premium embedded in crude prices, with traders closely monitoring developments in the region.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The statement said development work could continue on the property once the court proceedings have concluded.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of development
Noun
  • Though this section feels lighter, the music remains dense, one swarming mass of sound traveling toward ecstasy.
    — Vanessa Ague, Pitchfork, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Staff was also critical of the quality of materials on a section of the tower.
    — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of section

Browse Nearby Words

generating
generation
generations
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Generation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/generation. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of shindig

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All