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
The second-half performance, after falling 5-1 behind in the tie, reached levels Villa have not played at in a generation.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 28 May 2025
With a strong track record of nurturing companies from seed to scale, Index continues to be a force in shaping the next generation of global tech leaders.
—Truebridge Capital, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
There’s a history of presidential health cover-ups May 21, 2025
Spencer was a campaign strategist and master tactician who helped usher into office generations of GOP leaders, foremost among them Ronald Reagan.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
The death of Kathleen Hughes May 19 at age 96 concluded a nostalgic chapter of cinematic history for the baby boomer generation who grew up with her films.
—Alan K. Rode, Variety, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for generation
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Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 28 May 2025
With a strong track record of nurturing companies from seed to scale, Index continues to be a force in shaping the next generation of global tech leaders.
—Truebridge Capital, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
There’s a history of presidential health cover-ups May 21, 2025
Spencer was a campaign strategist and master tactician who helped usher into office generations of GOP leaders, foremost among them Ronald Reagan.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
The death of Kathleen Hughes May 19 at age 96 concluded a nostalgic chapter of cinematic history for the baby boomer generation who grew up with her films.
—Alan K. Rode, Variety, 27 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for generation
Cite this Entry
“Generation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/generation. Accessed 31 May. 2025.
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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