generation
jeh-nuh-RAY-shuhn
Generation (noun) means All the people born and living at around the same time, seen as a group. Example: “Each generation worries that the next one spends too long on screens.”
noun
1
All the people born and living at around the same time, seen as a group.
"Each generation worries that the next one spends too long on screens."
"Her generation grew up without smartphones."
"The festival attracts fans from three generations."
2
One step in a family's line of descent, roughly the time it takes children to grow up and have their own.
"Three generations of the family live in the same big house."
"My grandmother's recipes have been handed down through several generations."
"The family farm has been passed down for four generations."
3
The act or process of producing or bringing something into being.
"Wind turbines are used for the generation of power in rural areas."
"The generation of heat inside the engine requires constant cooling."
"The plant is used for the generation of clean electricity."
4
A particular stage in the development of a technology or product line.
"The new console is the latest generation of the brand."
"Each new generation of phones seems to have a better camera."
"The company is proud of its fifth generation of electric scooters."
How to use generation
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA group of people born around the same time, a step in a family tree, or the act of producing something.
Common pairings
younger generation
next generation
power generation
generation gap
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Word forms
- Plural
- generations
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Each _____ worries that the next one spends too long on screens.
Etymology
From Latin generatio ("a begetting, producing"), from generare ("to beget, produce").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for generation
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for 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.
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