generation
generation
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "generation" is /ˌdʒen.əˈreɪ.ʃən/.
gen: /ˌdʒen/
e: /ə/
ra: /ˈreɪ/
tion: /ʃən/
Word Form Variations
Noun: generation (singular), generations (plural)
Verb: generate (base form), generates (third person singular present), generated (past tense, past participle), generating (present participle)
Adjective: generational, generative
Adverb: generationally (less common, but formed from 'generational')
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Generation
All of the people born and living at about the same time, regarded collectively.
Synonyms: age group, cohort, peer group, demographic
Antonyms: (no direct antonyms, refers to a collective group)
A single stage in the succession of natural descent; the average period (about 25-30 years) from the birth of a parent to the birth of their child.
Synonyms: age, epoch, era, period
Antonyms: (no direct antonyms; refers to a time span)
The production or creation of something, especially energy or power.
Synonyms: production, creation, formation, origination, output
Antonyms: consumption, destruction, dissipation, absorption
Verb
Generate
To produce or create (something).
Synonyms: create, produce, make, form, originate, engender
Antonyms: destroy, consume, suppress, eliminate
Adjective
Generational
Relating to a particular generation or to successive generations.
Synonyms: intergenerational, age-group-related
Antonyms: (no direct antonyms; refers to a relationship between generations)
Generative
Relating to or capable of production or reproduction.
Synonyms: productive, creative, reproductive, fertile
Antonyms: sterile, unproductive, barren
Examples of Use
Books
Non-fiction (Sociology/History): Books often categorize people by "generation" (e.g., Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, Gen Z) to analyze trends or historical impact. For instance, The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw profiles Americans who lived through the Great Depression and World War II (Random House, April 1998).
Science Textbooks: These discuss the "generation of electricity" or the "generation of heat." "Solar panels facilitate the generation of clean energy."
Fiction: Novels might explore conflicts between different "generations" within a family or society. "The new generation faced challenges unknown to their parents."
Newspapers
News Articles: Journalists frequently report on the characteristics, behaviors, or economic impact of different "generations." A headline might read, "Gen Z Leads Shift in Workplace Culture: The New Generation Arrives" (The Wall Street Journal, July 2025). Articles also cover "power generation" or "waste generation."
Opinion Pieces: Columnists often express views on the values or habits of a particular "generation."
Technology Sections: Articles might discuss "the next generation of smartphones" or "new methods of data generation."
Online Publications
Business Blogs: Many blogs analyze marketing strategies tailored for different "generations" (e.g., "Marketing to the Millennial Generation").
Environmental Websites: Organizations publish articles on renewable energy sources and the "generation of sustainable power." "Wind turbines contribute to green energy generation."
Social Media: Users identify with their "generation" through memes or discussions about shared experiences. Hashtags like #GenX or #MillennialProblems are common.
Educational Platforms: Online courses might feature content on population studies or the "generation of research data.
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
Movies/TV Shows: Narratives often explore inter-generational conflicts or showcase a specific historical generation. Shows might feature "the struggles of a new generation of artists." Documentaries might trace the history of a particular generation.
Video Games: Games might release "next-generation consoles" or updates. Lore might describe ancient civilizations and the "generations" of heroes.
Music: Song lyrics sometimes reflect the attitudes or experiences of a specific "generation." "This song is for my generation."
Podcasts: Hosts discussing social trends often bring on guests from different "generations" to share perspectives. "We're exploring the differences between the silent generation and Gen Alpha."
General Public Discourse
Conversations: In daily speech, people commonly refer to "my generation" or talk about "the younger generation" versus "the older generation." "This is a problem for the next generation."
Workplace: Discussions often involve managing inter-generational teams or the "generation of new ideas."
Education: Educators might discuss how teaching methods need to adapt for the current generation of students.
Public Policy: Debates often revolve around policies that will impact future "generations," such as environmental regulations or national debt. "We must secure a better future for coming generations."
10 Quotes Using Generation
"Every generation needs a new revolution." (Thomas Jefferson)
"You educate a woman; you educate a generation." (Common Proverb)
"We are the first generation to feel the effect of climate change and the last generation who can do something about it." (Barack Obama)
"We can be the generation that ends extreme poverty." (Bono)
"The artist is the voice of his generation." (Robert Henri)
"Each generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it." (George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four)
"The fundamental challenge of our generation is not to innovate more, but to adapt wisely."
"Each generation brings forth new dreams, new visions, and unprecedented challenges."
"A healthy and thriving society ensures equitable opportunities for every single generation."
"The greatest legacy one generation can bestow upon the next is a sustainable and livable planet."
Etymology
The word "generation" comes from the Latin word "generatio," which meant "a begetting," "a producing," or "a birth." This, in turn, derived from the verb "generare," meaning "to beget," "to produce," or "to create." So, at its root, it's about bringing something into existence or creating offspring.
The first known use of "generation" in English, with the meaning of "the act of procreation or begetting," dates back to the late 14th century. It appeared in texts referring to the process of reproduction. Soon after, it also began to be used for the collective group of people born around the same time, reflecting the idea of one group "generated" at a similar period.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Generation
Generation gap: A difference of opinions or values between younger and older people. "The generation gap often leads to misunderstandings about technology."
Next generation: The future or upcoming cohort of people or things. "The company is investing heavily in next-generation computing."
New generation: A recently emerged group, often with distinct characteristics. "This new generation of artists is pushing creative boundaries."
Lost generation: A term for the generation that came of age during World War I, particularly writers and intellectuals. "Hemingway was a prominent figure of the Lost Generation."
The greatest generation: A term referring to those who grew up during the Great Depression and fought in World War II. "My grandparents belonged to The Greatest Generation."
From generation to generation: Passed down through successive groups of people. "Family traditions are often passed down from generation to generation."
Fourth generation: Referring to a specific stage in technological development or family lineage. "This is a fourth-generation mobile network."
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of generation from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
