Generation Meaning
/ˌd͡ʒɛnəˈɹeɪʃən/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe act of creating something or bringing something into being; production, creation.
nounThe act of creating a living creature or organism; procreation.
Sentence Examples
The proliferation of Internet usage has given birth to a new generation of young people.
You belong to the next generation.
He is arguably the best actor of his generation.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ of electricity from solar panels is clean and renewable.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Each new ____ of students brings fresh ideas and a different perspective to our local university campus.
Word Origin & History
Inherited from Middle English generacioun, from Anglo-Norman generacioun, Middle French generacion, and their source, Latin generātiō, from generāre (“to beget, generate”). By surface analysis, generate + -ion.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The generation of peat, when not completely under water, is confined to moist situations […]"
— 1832, Charles Lyell, chapter XIII, in Principles of Geology […] , volume II, London: John Murray, page 210:
"So all things else, that nourish vitall blood, / Soone as with fury thou doest them inspire, / In generation seek to quench their inward fire."
— 1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book IV, Canto X”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC:
"Generation by Copulation (certainly) extendeth not to Plants."
— 1627 (indicated as 1626), Francis [Bacon], “(please specify the page, or |century=I to X)”, in Sylua Syluarum: Or A Naturall Historie. In Ten Centuries. […], London: […] William Rawley […]; [p]rinted by J[ohn] H[aviland] for William Lee […], →OCLC:
"According to that Cabaliſticall Dogma: If Abram had not had this Letter [i.e., ה (he)] added unto his Name he had remained fruitleſſe, and without the power of generation: […] So that being ſterill before, he received the power of generation from that meaſure and manſion in the Archetype; and was made conformable unto Binah."
— 1658, Thomas Browne, “The Garden of Cyrus. […]. Chapter V.”, in Hydriotaphia, Urne-buriall, […] Together with The Garden of Cyrus, […], London: […] Hen[ry] Brome […], →OCLC, page 192:
"Thy Mothers of my generation: what's she, if I be a Dogge?"
— c. 1605–1608 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Tymon of Athens”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii]:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ of electricity from solar panels is clean and renewable.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Each new ____ of students brings fresh ideas and a different perspective to our local university campus.