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
Rachel Wisniewski/for NPR In modern times, tailgating is a way to honor history and pass down tradition and lore through the generations.
—Frank Langfitt, NPR, 8 Feb. 2025
In this year's Super Bowl, Philadelphia star offensive tackle Jordan Mailata is hoping a new generation of helmets will help keep him in the game — avoiding the same fate as Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford, who was sidelined after suffering a concussion in the AFC Championship weeks ago.
—Leigh Ann Winick, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2025
While the original is about Maverick attending an elite flight school as a student, the sequel focuses on his tenure instructing the next generation of pilots (including Rooster).
—Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 7 Feb. 2025
Scholars grapple with loss of Chicano studies giant Juan Gómez-Quiñones’ archives in Palisades fire
Juan Gómez-Quiñones, who died in 2020, was a legend of Chicano Studies who taught some of the first classes in the discipline at UCLA and mentored a generation of young Chicano activists.
—Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for generation 
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Frank Langfitt, NPR, 8 Feb. 2025
In this year's Super Bowl, Philadelphia star offensive tackle Jordan Mailata is hoping a new generation of helmets will help keep him in the game — avoiding the same fate as Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford, who was sidelined after suffering a concussion in the AFC Championship weeks ago.
—Leigh Ann Winick, CBS News, 8 Feb. 2025
While the original is about Maverick attending an elite flight school as a student, the sequel focuses on his tenure instructing the next generation of pilots (including Rooster).
—Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 7 Feb. 2025
Scholars grapple with loss of Chicano studies giant Juan Gómez-Quiñones’ archives in Palisades fire
Juan Gómez-Quiñones, who died in 2020, was a legend of Chicano Studies who taught some of the first classes in the discipline at UCLA and mentored a generation of young Chicano activists.
—Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for generation
Articles Related to generation
Dictionary Entries Near generation
Cite this Entry
“Generation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/generation. Accessed 12 Feb. 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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