generation
pronunciation
How to pronounce generation in British English:
UK [ˌdʒenəˈreɪʃn]
How to pronounce generation in American English:
US [ˌdʒenəˈreɪʃn]
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- Noun:
- all the people living at the same time or of approximately the same age
- group of genetically related organisms constituting a single step in the line of descent
- the normal time between successive generations
- a stage of technological development or innovation
- a coming into being
- the production of heat or electricity
- the act of producing offspring or multiplying by such production
Word Origin
- generation (n.)
- early 14c., "body of individuals born about the same period" (historically 30 years but in other uses as few as 17), on the notion of "descendants at the same stage in the line of descent," from Old French generacion "race, people, species; progeny, offspring; act of procreating" (12c., Modern French génération) and directly from Latin generationem (nominative generatio) "generating, generation," noun of action from past participle stem of generare "bring forth, beget, produce," from genus "race, kind" (see genus). From late 14c. as "act or process of procreation; process of being formed; state of being procreated; reproduction; sexual intercourse;" also "that which is produced, fruit, crop; children; descendants, offspring of the same parent." Generation gap first recorded 1967; generation x is 1991, by author Douglas Coupland (b.1961) in the book of that name; generation y attested by 1994. Adjectival phrase first-generation, second-generation, etc. with reference to U.S. immigrant families is from 1896. Related: Generational.
Example
- 1. Iraq cannot afford to lose this generation .
- 2. We know to which generation we belong .
- 3. Our generation can complete what god started on the first christmas .
- 4. The generation times are far too long .
- 5. Did our generation advance the cause of freedom ?