generation

gen-er-a-tion · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    All of the people born and living at about the same time, regarded collectively.

  2. 2.

    The average period, typically about 25-30 years, during which children grow up and have their own children.

  3. 3.

    A stage in technological development or design.

  4. 4.

    The production or creation of something.

Forms

plural: generations

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    generation gap — differences in attitudes between generations
  • •
    generation X/Y/Z — labels for specific age cohorts
  • •
    the lost generation — the generation that came of age during World War I
  • •
    first-generation — belonging to the first group (immigrants, technology, etc.)

Related words

See also: age, descendant, era, offspring
Synonyms: age group, cohort, era

Etymology

From Latin generatio ("breeding, generation"), from generare ("to beget"). Related to generate, gene, and genus.