generation
noun uk/ˌdʒen.əˈreɪ.ʃən/ us/ˌdʒen.əˈreɪ.ʃən/
(AGE GROUP)
B1 [ C, + sing/pl verb ]（社会或家庭的）一代（人），同代人，同辈人
all the people of about the same age within a society or within a particular family
The younger generation smokes less than their parents did. 年轻的一代比他们父母这一代人吸烟要少。
There were at least three generations - grandparents, parents and children - at the wedding. 婚礼上至少有3代人——祖父母、父母和孩子们。
It's our duty to preserve the planet for future generations. 为了子孙后代保护好这个星球的环境是我们的职责。
This painting has been in the family for generations. 这幅画已被该家族收藏了数代之久。
B2 [ C, + sing/pl verb ]（时间跨度为23至30年左右的）一代，一辈
a period of about 25 to 30 years, in which most human babies become adults and have their own children
A generation ago, home computers were virtually unknown. 二三十年以前，家用电脑还几乎不为世人所知。
first, second, third, etc. generation （一个家庭取得一个国家国籍后在该国家的）第一代／第二代／第三代（等等）
used to describe the nationality of someone belonging to the first, second, third, etc. group of people of the same age in the family to have been born in that country
She's a first-generation American (= she was born and raised in the US, but her parents were not). 她是她们家族移民美国后的第一代。
- More examples
- She is being acclaimed as the greatest dancer of her generation.
- His is a family trade, passed down from generation to generation.
- That song was popular with people from my father's generation.
- Some diseases are transmitted from one generation to the next.
- He was probably the most prolific songwriter of his generation.
(ENERGY)
B2 [ U ]（能源）产生;发生
the production of energy in a particular form
electricity generation from wind and wave power 风能和波能发电
- More examples
- Established methods of power generation create a considerable amount of pollution.
- Coal is still the raw material used for most of the UK's electricity generation.
(PRODUCT)
B2 [ C, + sing/pl verb ]（产品或机器的）一代
a group of products or machines that are all at the same stage of development
a new generation of low-fat margarines 新一代的低脂肪人造黄油
Scientists are working on developing the next generation of supercomputers. 科学家们正致力于研发下一代的超级计算机。