1. | [cspv] （统称）一代人，同代人，同辈人all the people who were born at about the same time |
the younger/older generation 年轻的一代；老一辈 | |
My generation have grown up without the experience of a world war. 我这一代人在成长过程中没有经历过世界大战。 | |
I often wonder what future generations will make of our efforts. 我常常想，后代将怎样评价我们所作出的努力。 |
2. | [c] 代，一代，一辈（通常认为大约 30 年）the average time in which children grow up, become adults and have children of their own, (usually considered to be about 30 years) |
a generation ago 一代人以前 | |
My family have lived in this house for generations . 我家祖祖辈辈都住在这房子里。 |
3. | [c][u] （家史中的）一代，一辈a single stage in the history of a family |
stories passed down from generation to generation 世代相传的故事 | |
a first-/second-generation American(= a person whose family has lived in America for one/two generations) 第一╱第二代美国人（家人在美国居住了一、二代者） |
4. | [c][ususing] 一批，一届（从事特定活动的同龄人）a group of people of similar age involved in a particular activity |
She has inspired a whole generation of fashion school graduates. 她激励了整整一届时装学校的毕业生。 |
5. | [c][ususing] （产品发展，尤指技术方面的）代a stage in the development of a product, usually a technical one |
fifth-generation computing 第五代计算机技术 | |
a new generation of vehicle 新一代交通运输工具 |
6. | [u] （尤指电、热等的）产生the production of sth, especially electricity, heat, etc. |
the generation of electricity 发电 | |
methods of income generation 产生收益的方法 |
