A1 noun Neutral #2,260 most common

generation

/ˌdʒɛnəˈreɪʃən/

A generation is a group of people who are born and live at about the same time, such as parents or children. It also describes the average period of time, about 20 to 30 years, between the birth of parents and their children.

Examples

3 of 5
1

There are three generations living in my house: me, my parents, and my grandparents.

Three different age groups from the same family live together in my home.

2

The government is planning for the next generation of citizens.

The state is making plans for the group of people who will be adults in the future.

3

My generation spends a lot of time on social media.

People around my age use social media platforms very often.

Word Family

Noun
generation
Verb
generate
Adverb
generationally
Adjective
generational
Related
generator
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Memory Tip

Think of the 'Gen' in 'Generation' as the 'Gen' in 'Genes'. People in one generation share a similar time, like family members share genes.

Quick Quiz

My grandfather doesn't understand TikTok because of the ______ gap.

Correct!

The correct answer is: generation

Examples

1

There are three generations living in my house: me, my parents, and my grandparents.

everyday

Three different age groups from the same family live together in my home.

2

The government is planning for the next generation of citizens.

formal

The state is making plans for the group of people who will be adults in the future.

3

My generation spends a lot of time on social media.

informal

People around my age use social media platforms very often.

4

Sociologists study the behavior of the post-war generation.

academic

Researchers look at the habits of people born after the war ended.

5

Our company needs to appeal to the younger generation of workers.

business

Our business must be attractive to the newest and youngest group of employees.

Word Family

Noun
generation
Verb
generate
Adverb
generationally
Adjective
generational
Related
generator

Common Collocations

next generation the following group of people in the future
older generation the group of people who are elderly or parents
generation gap the difference in opinions between young and old people
power generation the process of producing electricity
future generations the people who will live on Earth after us

Common Phrases

generation gap

a lack of communication between young and old people

first-generation

being the first in a family to be born in a country or go to college

from generation to generation

passed down from parents to children over a long time

Often Confused With

generation vs gender

Gender refers to being male, female, or non-binary, while generation refers to age groups.

generation vs age

Age is the specific number of years a person has lived, while generation is a group of people born in the same period.

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Usage Notes

When talking about family, use 'generation' to count the levels of ancestors or descendants. In science or technology, use it to describe the creation of energy or a new version of a product.

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Common Mistakes

Learners often say 'my age generation' when they should just say 'my generation'. Also, do not confuse it with 'general', which means 'common'.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'Gen' in 'Generation' as the 'Gen' in 'Genes'. People in one generation share a similar time, like family members share genes.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin word 'generare', which means 'to bring forth' or 'to produce'.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun: can be singular (generation) or plural (generations). Usually used with the definite article 'the' when referring to a specific group.
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Cultural Context

The concept of 'The Generation Gap' became very popular in the 1960s to describe the cultural divide between Baby Boomers and their parents.

Quick Quiz

My grandfather doesn't understand TikTok because of the ______ gap.

Correct!

The correct answer is: generation

Related Phrases

More Family words

mom

A1

A mom is a female parent who cares for and raises her children. It is a warm and informal name used to call or talk about one's mother.

daughter

A1

A daughter is a female child or person in relation to her parents. It refers to the biological or legal relationship of a girl or woman to her mother and father.

sibling

A1

A sibling is a brother or a sister. It is a general word used to describe people who have the same parents, regardless of their gender.

teenager

A1

A teenager is a young person between the ages of 13 and 19. This term is used to describe the period of life when a person is no longer a child but not yet a full adult.

husband

A1

A husband is a married man in relation to his spouse. It is a term used to describe a male partner in a marriage or a legally recognized union.

grandmother

A1

A grandmother is the mother of a person's father or mother. She is a female ancestor who is two generations older than the person.

grandparent

A1

A grandparent is the parent of one's father or mother. It is a general term that refers to either a grandfather or a grandmother within a family structure.

grandson

A1

A grandson is the son of one's son or daughter. It is a term used to describe a male child in relation to his grandparents.

granddaughter

A1

A granddaughter is the daughter of a person's son or daughter. It describes the relationship between a female child and her grandparents.

grandchild

A1

A grandchild is the child of one's son or daughter. It represents the second generation of descendants after one's own children.

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