generation

noun

gen·​er·​a·​tion ˌje-nə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce generation (audio)
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 fightersKenneth Koyen
2
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
generational adjective
generationally adverb

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
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.
Americans who treasure what has truly made our country great — a secular Constitution that keeps religion out of our laws and social policies must speak up to safeguard democracy for ourselves and future generations. Annie Laurie Gaylor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Jan. 2025 Big families of several generations come together and enjoy delicious and lucky dishes. Jennifer Borresen, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2025 The ranch has remained a cornerstone of the family's story, with memories passed down through generations. Joel Thayer, Newsweek, 26 Jan. 2025 The house had passed from one generation to the next without clearing a legal process called probate, which resolves ownership of properties in the absence of a will. Ben Wieder, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for generation 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English generacioun "procreation, development, offspring, lineage," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French generacion, borrowed from Late Latin generātiōn-, generātiō, going back to Latin, "procreation," from generāre "to bring into being, generate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of generation was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near generation

Cite this Entry

“Generation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/generation. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

generation

noun
gen·​er·​a·​tion ˌjen-ə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce generation (audio)
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
generational
-shnəl How to pronounce generation (audio)
-shən-ᵊl
adjective

Medical Definition

generation

noun
gen·​er·​a·​tion ˌjen-ə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce generation (audio)
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
generational adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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