1 [count] a : a group of people born and living during the same time ▪ She was worshipped by a generation of moviegoers. ▪ He was a hero to generations of students. ▪ We need to preserve these resources for future generations. ▪ His books are popular among members of the younger/older generation. ▪ (US) The current generation is changing the way things are done. = (Brit) The current generation are changing the way things are done. b : the people in a family born and living during the same time ▪ That family has lived in the same house for four generations. ▪ The house has been passed down in the family from generation to generation. ▪ first- and second-generation immigrants [=people who immigrated and their children]
2 [count] : the average length of time between the birth of parents and the birth of their children ▪ She's a generation [=around 20–30 years] older than most of her colleagues. ▪ He has held that position for a generation. ▪ No one dreamed that such things would be possible a generation ago.
3 [count] : a group of things that are developed from an earlier type ▪ The company claims to be developing the next generation of portable computers.
4 [noncount] : the act or process of making or producing something : the act or process of generating something ▪ the generation of heat ▪ the generation of new ideas