generation

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   All the people born around the same time, regarded as a group with shared experiences.

   Grammar: Can take a singular or plural verb in British English: the generation is or are.

   Patterns

   • the older generation
   • a generation of something

   My generation grew up without smartphones.

   The younger generation is more worried about climate change.

   A whole generation of workers lost jobs in the crisis.

2. 2nouncountable

   One step in a family line, from parents to children to grandchildren.

   Grammar: Often counted: three generations.

   Patterns

   • three generations of something

   Three generations of her family live in the same house.

   The shop has passed down through four generations.

   He is a second-generation immigrant.

3. 3nouncountable

   A stage in the development of a product, especially technology, with improved features over earlier versions.

   Grammar: Often used before a noun: next-generation devices.

   Patterns

   • the latest generation of something

   The latest generation of phones has a much better camera.

   This is a third-generation hybrid engine.

   Next-generation batteries could charge in minutes.

4. 4noununcountable

   The process of producing something, especially power or ideas.

   Grammar: Not counted: electricity generation.

   Patterns

   • the generation of something

   Solar panels allow the generation of electricity at home.

   Brainstorming encourages the generation of new ideas.

   The generation of heat requires fuel.

Word forms

Common combinations

the older generation

The older generation remembers when letters took weeks.

future generations

We must protect forests for future generations.

generation gap

A generation gap showed in their taste in music.

first-generation

She is a first-generation college student.

power generation

Wind farms now provide much of the country's power generation.

from generation to generation

The recipe was handed down from generation to generation.

Synonyms and how they differ

age group

Age group is a neutral label for people of similar age, whereas generation also suggests shared historical experience.

cohort

Cohort is a more technical word used in research for any group followed over time.

production

Production works for the making of goods, while generation is more usual for energy and ideas.

version

Version is for one form of a product, while generation implies a series building on the earlier ones.

Word family

generate verb

to produce or create

generational adjective

relating to a generation

generator noun

a machine that makes electricity

degenerate verb

to become worse over time

regeneration noun

growth or renewal

Commonly confused: generation or genesis?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “generation”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words