26984 words

generations

14 definitions • 24 examples
1
all the people of about the same age within a society or within a particular family:

Examples:

There were at least three generations - grandparents, parents and children - at the wedding.
future generation It's our duty to preserve the planet for future generations.
for generations This painting has been in the family for generations.
2
a period of about 25 to 30 years, in which most human babies become adults and have their own children:

Examples:

3
all the living things in a group that are born or start to exist at about the same time, and are related to one that existed at an earlier point in time:

Examples:

The cubs represent the third generation of tigers that have been given radio collars for the project.
Generations of fish and other marine life were compromised because of the oil spill.
Targeted plant breeding can produce promising results within just a few crop generations.
4
used to describe the nationality of someone belonging to the first, second, third, etc. group of people of the same age in the family to have been born in that country:

Examples:

She's a first-generation American (= she was born and raised in the US, but her parents were not).
6
the action of causing something to exist:
7
a group of products or machines that are all at the same stage of development:

Examples:

new generation a new generation of low-fat margarines
next generation Scientists are working on developing the next generation of supercomputers.
8
all the people of about the same age within a society or within a particular family, or the usual period of time from a person’s birth to the birth of his or her children:

Examples:

the last/next generation
There were three generations at the wedding – grandparents, parents, and children.
This farm has been in the family for generations.
9
A generation is also a group of products or machines that are all at the same stage of development:

Examples:

third-generation computers
10
(of living things) the act or process of reproducing
11
a group of people who are about the same age within a society or within a particular family:

Examples:

the new/next generation Family-owned private firms don't usually aim to sell off the business; they pass it on to the next generation.
13
the process of producing something that will create a profit, income, jobs, etc.:

Examples:

Traditional rentals are in decline and must be managed to maximise cash generation.
14
a group of products or machines that are all at the same stage of development

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