generation gap

American  

noun

generation gaps plural

1. a lack of communication between one generation and another, especially between young people and their parents, brought about by differences of tastes, values, outlook, etc.

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generation gap British  

noun

1. the years separating one generation from the generation that precedes or follows it, esp when regarded as representing the difference in outlook and the lack of understanding between them

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generation gap Cultural  

1. The differences in customs, attitudes, and beliefs between any two generations, but especially between youths and adults.

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generation gap Idioms  

1. A broad difference in values and attitudes between one generation and another, especially between parents and their children. For example, There's a real generation gap in their choice of music, restaurants, clothing—you name it. [1960s”

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• generation gaps
  plural

Etymology

Origin of generation gap

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Veda’s conflicts with Mildred feel like the beginning of what would become the generation gap between the kids born into the plenty of American post-war life and their hardworking parents.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 29, 2026

Rosie Campbell, professor of politics at King's College London, says the "gender generation gap is growing".

From BBC • Aug. 22, 2025

"Tony Bennett has not just bridged the generation gap, he has demolished it," the New York Times wrote in 1994.

From Reuters • Jul. 21, 2023

But Quentin James, a co-founder of the Collective Pac, an organization that aims to elect Black officials, said the generation gap was “going to be a huge challenge for Democrats.”

From New York Times • May 13, 2023

The culture and generation gap that separated us was too immense to navigate.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi