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 Kagan’s discovery ultimately allowed for the generation of safer and more effective single-handed molecules by the pharmaceutical industry; previously, drugs with the incorrect mirror image were either very toxic or simply inactive. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Oct. 2026 Led by chairman and seventh-generation family member Sébastien Létrange, the historic brand Létrange embraced both trends in revisiting its jewel-in-the-crown bag style Empreinte. — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026 The eighth generation of the 3 Series is here, and BMW has done just that. — New Atlas, 7 Oct. 2026 The measure would require state regulators to consider standards for certain new data centers to cover generation, transmission, and infrastructure upgrade costs, but would not mandate them. — Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 1 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
  • The Type 01 is the first production car since the brand’s reinvention, and the most powerful, most aerodynamic, and most technologically advanced car Jaguar has ever built.
    — Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Paul Heaney’s company itself acts as the central commissioner, putting projects into production and then sells the rights to buyers who have already stated their interest.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of production
Noun
  • For families Traveling families have a variety of room choices, with some suites offering kitchenettes, separate living areas, multiple rooms, and private balconies to spread out.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Across six hour-long episodes, the show follows a variety of urban animals to uncover the challenges of living alongside the human race.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of variety
Noun
  • Indeed, earlier this year the EU created a legally binding 2040 emissions reduction target.
    — Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
  • By the time the next spring rolled around, support for all-year DST dropped from 79 percent to 42 percent.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of year
Noun
  • Firms may opt out of consideration during the list creation process.
    — Kelli Grant, CFP®,Riley de León, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • His own label is known for its upbeat creations like the Kandinsky-esque Mobile chandelier that comes together in an abstract punctuation of pin-thin rods.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of creation
Noun
  • The role brought him an Indian National Film Award for best supporting actor and the Filmfare award in the same category.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Some 42% purchased in at least two collectible categories beyond fine and decorative art, close to baby boomers at 39%.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of category
Noun
  • Moore has publicly endorsed the use of smelling salts by football players, singing their praises in a 2024 Wall Street Journal article about their popularity among UM players during the Jim Harbaugh era.
    — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 8 Oct. 2026
  • This time last year, Deadline profiled Shaka iLembe, the South African-shot story of King Shaka, the famous pre-colonial era Zulu ruler.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of era
Noun
  • The backstory Capella’s first Thai outpost shares the Chao Phraya Estate, a big-bucks development just downstream from the river’s major transport hub, with the Four Seasons Bangkok.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Challenging market conditions mean construction is yet to start at Grand Balaton, an upscale residential development in Balatonakarattya at the eastern end of the lake, about an hour's drive from central Budapest.
    — Lucy Handley, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of development
Noun
  • That album drew Simmons’ bass and Bindeman’s drums to the fore of the mix, letting Harris’ guitar and vocals foam behind the rhythm section’s discrete peaks.
    — Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Elephants in the Fog competed in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival this year, winning the Jury Prize.
    — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 8 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 8 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 etiquette

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

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

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

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
name tags
Words Named After People Quiz Find out who’s behind "leotard," "morphine," an...
See All