generation
9 synonyms and 0 antonyms for generation, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — All the people born and living at around the same time, seen as a group.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use generation
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin generatio ("a begetting, producing"), from generare ("to beget, produce").
Full origin of generation →Frequently asked questions
What does “generation” mean?
The word “generation” means all the people born and living at around the same time, seen as a group. In plain terms, a group of people born around the same time, a step in a family tree, or the act of producing something.
How do you pronounce “generation”?
“Generation” is pronounced jeh-nuh-RAY-shuhn (/ˌd͡ʒɛnəˈɹeɪʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “generation” in a sentence?
Here is “generation” used in a sentence: “Her generation grew up without smartphones.”
What part of speech is “generation”?
“Generation” is a noun.
Where does the word “generation” come from?
The word “generation” comes from Latin. From Latin generatio ("a begetting, producing"), from generare ("to beget, produce").
Is “generation” a common word?
“Generation” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “generation” have?
“Generation” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: all the people born and living at around the same time, seen as a group.
How many years are in a generation?
A generation is usually estimated at about 20 to 30 years — roughly the time it takes for people to grow up and have children of their own. Demographers often use 25 to 30 years as a working figure. The named generations, like Millennials, typically span around 15 to 20 birth years each.
What are the named generations?
Commonly named generations include the Silent Generation, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials (Generation Y), Generation Z, and Generation Alpha. Each covers people born within a particular range of years and shaped by shared events and technology. The exact cut-off dates vary slightly depending on the source.
What is the difference between a generation and an age group?
An age group is simply people of similar age at this moment, like everyone in their thirties. A generation is a cohort born around the same time and viewed as a group across their whole lives, shaped by shared experiences. Age groups shift as people age; a generation keeps its identity throughout.