generation

[ jen-uh-rey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the entire body of individuals born and living at about the same time:

   the postwar generation.

2. the average span of years between the birth of parents and the birth of their offspring, reckoned in accordance with various disciplines, as in human population studies, which typically cite a generational range as 20–35 years, and in the classification of Generations X, Y, and Z, which loosely frame periods of 15–20 years:

   Her photo layout shows the hairstyle trends among young men over the past four generations.

3. a group of individuals, most of whom are the same approximate age, having similar ideas, problems, attitudes, etc. Compare Beat Generation, Lost Generation.
4. a group of individuals belonging to a specific category at the same time:

   Chaplin belonged to the generation of silent-screen stars.

5. a single step in natural descent, as of human beings, animals, or plants.
6. a form, type, class, etc., of objects existing at the same time and having many similarities or developed from a common model or ancestor (often used in combination):

   a new generation of anticancer drugs;

   a third-generation phone.

7. the offspring of a certain parent or couple, considered as a step in natural descent.
8. the act or process of generating or bringing into being; production, manufacture, or procreation.
9. the state of being generated.
10. production by natural or artificial processes; evolution, as of heat or sound.
11. Biology.
    1. one complete life cycle.
    2. one of the alternate phases that complete a life cycle having more than one phase:

       the gametophyte generation.

12. Mathematics. the production of a geometrical figure by the motion of another figure.
13. Physics. one of the successive sets of nuclei produced in a chain reaction.
14. (in duplicating processes, as photocopying, film, etc.) the distance in duplicating steps that a copy is from the original work.

generation

/ ˌdʒɛnəˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of bringing into being; production or reproduction, esp of offspring
2. 1. a successive stage in natural descent of organisms: the time between when an organism comes into being and when it reproduces
   2. the individuals produced at each stage
3. the normal or average time between two such generations of a species: about 35 years for humans
4. a phase or form in the life cycle of a plant or animal characterized by a particular type of reproduction

   the gametophyte generation

5. all the people of approximately the same age, esp when considered as sharing certain attitudes, etc
6. production of electricity, heat, etc
7. physics a set of nuclei formed directly from a preceding set in a chain reaction
8. modifier, in combination
   1. belonging to a generation specified as having been born in or as having parents, grandparents, etc, born in a given country

      a third-generation American

   2. belonging to a specified stage of development in manufacture, usually implying improvement

      a second-generation computer

generation

/ jĕn′ə-rā′shən /

1. 1. All of the offspring that are at the same stage of descent from a common ancestor.
   2. The average interval of time between the birth of parents and the birth of their offspring.
2. A form or stage in the life cycle of an organism.
3. See more at alternation of generations
4. The formation of a line or geometric figure by the movement of a point or line.

Derived Forms

• ˌgenerˈational, adjective

Other Words From

• gen·er·a·tion·al adjective
• gen·er·a·tion·al·ly adverb
• in·ter·gen·er·a·tion noun
• pre·gen·er·a·tion noun
• sub·gen·er·a·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of generation¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English generacioun, from Middle French, from Latin generātiōn- (stem of generātiō ); generate, -ion

Example Sentences

Keep in mind that Gen Z is a tech-savvy audience that’s unlike other generations.

From Search Engine Watch

The generation or so after the passage of the Voting Rights, when the Electoral College never made a practical difference in presidential elections, was an exception rather than the rule.

From Vox

Insider Spotlight sponsors can get lead generation in the form of emails, a recap article on Business Insider’s site, onsite media, as well as social promotion and promotional email blasts.

From Digiday

While the new iPhones are expected soon, Apple is proceeding with a new generation of its mobile operating software, iOS 14, due out Wednesday.

From Fortune

This is the lamp that nearly any person of any generation would like.

From Popular-Science

I watched SNL—the Eddie Murphy generation—and also SCTV with Rick Moranis.

From The Daily Beast

A place that has multiplied success for generation after generation of its children.

From The Daily Beast

This was a guy from the hip-hop generation and with a perspective that was inextricably linked to that generation.

From The Daily Beast

Or will we simply see more senseless bloodshed and another generation of Palestinians defer their dreams of a homeland?

From The Daily Beast

Changing public opinion, of course, will be the work of a generation or maybe two, but kudos to Stewart for getting it started.

From The Daily Beast

The memory of him shall not depart away, and his name shall be in request from generation to generation.

From Project Gutenberg

Their bodies are buried in peace, and their name liveth unto generation and generation.

From Project Gutenberg

"All right, Pater," you would say, and leave the matter in the hands of the elder generation.

From Project Gutenberg

For the adult generation of to-day many things are no longer possible.

From Project Gutenberg

She thought that the elder members of the family could discuss life more freely unhampered by the younger generation.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• day
• era
• period
• time