From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishgenerationgen‧e‧ra‧tion /ˌdʒenəˈreɪʃən/ ●●● S3 W2 AWL noun 1 AGE[countable] all people of about the same age Like most of my generation, I had never known a war. In my generation the divorce rate is very high. the need to preserve the planet for future generationsgeneration of the post-war generation of writersthe younger/older generation (=the younger or older people in society) The younger generation don’t know what hard work is. The story has been handed down from generation to generation.GRAMMAR: Singular or plural verb?• In this meaning, generation is usually followed by a singular verb: This generation has grown up using Internet technology.• In British English, you can also use a plural verb: This generation have grown up using Internet technology.2 AGEFAMILY[countable] all the members of a family of about the same age In those days it was common for three generations of the same family to live together.first-generation/second-generation etc (=being a member of the first, second etc generation to live or be born in a country) first-generation immigrants a third-generation American3 [countable]PERIOD OF TIME the average period of time between the birth of a person and the birth of that person’s childrenfor generations Some families have lived here for generations. The country’s attitude toward government is harsher than it was a generation ago.4 [countable]GROUP OF THINGS a group of things that were developed from something else, or from which better things were developedgeneration of the new generation of mobile phones the first generation of nuclear power stationsfirst-generation/second-generation etc second-generation computers5 [uncountable]TP the process of producing something or making something happen SYN productiongeneration of the generation of electricityCOLLOCATIONS – Meanings 1 & 2ADJECTIVES/NOUN + generationmy/your/their etc generationI consider myself a typical Japanese woman of my generation.future generationsWe need to preserve the planet for future generations.the younger generationThe party needs to make its policies appeal to the younger generation too.the older generationThese beliefs were common among the older generation.the new generation (=younger people, especially people who use new ways of doing something)He is one of the new generation of English players.the next generationPeople want to pass on money to the next generation when they die.successive/succeeding generations (=generations that follow one another)This medical textbook has been used by successive generations of medical students and doctors.earlier generationsAs with earlier generations of his family, he had been educated at Bootham School, York.the previous/preceding generationHe was the equal of any of the previous generation of great explorers.later generationsFor later generations, however, the chances of getting work on leaving school were much lower.the baby-boom generation (=people born between 1946 and 1964)Healthcare expenses are expected to rise as the baby-boom generation reaches retirement.generation + NOUNthe generation gap (=the difference between people of different generations)This study explores the generation gap between parents and their teenage children.phraseshand something down from generation to generationNative Australians hand down stories and songs from generation to generation.pass something from one generation to the nextTraditional customs are passed from one generation to the next.
Examples from the Corpus
generation• It was organized to help prepare a generation of scientists whose skills will be increasingly in demand.• On average only five of the water fleas in each generation manage to breed before they are eaten by a fish.• Its status in this respect as the successor of Latin had by then already been developing for generations.• For generations the place where all the more mature locals have come to buy their clothes.• Many people consider her among the best writers of her generation.• People of his generation often have a hard time with computers.• Over half of the people in my generation have parents who are divorced.• a new generation of TV technology• The human being, in other words, may be the victim of generations of male choice even more than female choice.• And the older generation just doing, you know, same old, same old.• But habits die hard, even from one generation to the next.• One generation ago, most families could afford a house on one salary.• the generation of electricity• The company is aiming for three generations of products over the next few years.• Three generations of Monroes have lived in this house.• There's still a pretty wide generation-gap in German society.future generations• Or a weapon to be used against future generations?• Many fascinating sites and buildings would otherwise be lost for present and future generations to enjoy.• This is self-explanatory and is needed for comparison purposes both between organizations and between the needs of present and future generations.• We need your help to save the past for future generations.• You will play your part in helping to preserve a distinctive beer style for future generations to enjoy.• It is a cautionary tale for future generations, told well.• The antis say it's an atomic eyesore ... a dangerous heirloom to leave future generations.• We in turn modify the field for our future generations.for generations• Police reports suggested that the countryside was more quiescent than it had been for generations.• The Skerritts had been stewards of Carewscourt for generations.• Cotton has been king here for generations.• The presence of a literacy detachment, on the other hand, may exercise an impact that will last for generations.• This is how monarchs and their families have lived for generations, without ever questioning that it should be so.• Houses where families have lived for generations are left as blackened, shattered skeletons.• Such payments represent yet other cycles, of labor done, of dates passed, of seasons on seasons for generations gone.• The problem is that for generations all those Springbok sports teams were open only to whites.new generation• In part two: Days of Glory ... a new generation serving with the Glosters.• A new generation of men and women executives refused to do business the way their corporate fathers and grandfathers had done.• Without mentors we have to reinvent the wheel each new generation.• So why don't you both get off prime time telly immediately and make way for the new generation?• He replied that he did, but asked whether I had tried any of the new generation motion detectors.• To be sure, the new generation of flexible, individually controlled telecommunications technologies offers new hope for educational improvement.• The men and women of this new generation found themselves in a paradoxical position.• After 20 years, new generations would see the repeat of the cycle.From Longman Business Dictionarygenerationgen‧e‧ra‧tion /ˌdʒenəˈreɪʃən/ noun1[uncountable]MANUFACTURING the process of producing energy or powerthegeneration of electricity2[uncountable]COMMERCE the process of producing or increasing income, profits, sales etcLosses of about $27 million weakened Zenith’s internal cash generation (=its ability to produce cash from its activities).Capital assets play a major role in the generation of income within the economy.3[countable]MARKETING a technical product which has been developed from a previous product, or from which a better or more advanced product is developedthe new generation of mobile phonesthe previous generation of nuclear power stations 