- [countable + singular or plural verb]
all the people who were born at about the same time （统称）一代人，同代人，同辈人 the younger/older generation 年轻的一代；老一辈 My generation have grown up with the internet. 我这一代人随着互联网成长。 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。 The hopes and dreams of youth today are different from those of previous generations. 今天青年的希望和梦想与前几代人不同。 - generation of somebody
Her books have delighted generations of children. 她的书使后代的孩子高兴。
Extra ExamplesThe First World War slaughtered a whole generation. 第一次世界大战毁掉了整整一代人。 The older generation tends to have more traditional views. 老一辈人常常有较传统的观念。 These children seem to have a stronger sense of purpose than the previous generation. 这些孩子似乎比上一辈人有更明确的目标。 Succeeding generations have added to the stock of stories and legends. 后辈进一步丰富了这些传奇故事。 a generation who grew up on fast food 吃快餐长大的一代人 a lost generation of dropouts 一代迷惘的辍学者 the wisdom of past generations 前辈的智慧
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- current
- present
- new
- …
- belong to
- date back
- go back
- …
- grow up
- gap
- for a generation
- for generations
- from generation to generation
- from one generation to the next
- [countable]
the average time in which children grow up, become adults and have children of their own, (usually considered to be about 30 years) 代，一代，一辈（通常认为大约 30 年） Many more people go to university now than a generation ago. 现在上大学的人比上一代人要多。 - for a generation
My family have lived in this house for generations 我家祖祖辈辈都住在这房子里。 These decisions will affect our children for generations to come. 这些决定将影响我们的子孙后代。
Extra ExamplesThe consequences of the radiation leak may not become apparent for a generation or more. 辐射泄漏的后果可能会持续一代或更长时间才变得明显。 a family history stretching back generations 回溯好几代的家史 This kind of apple has been grown for generations. 这种苹果已繁育好几代了。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- current
- present
- new
- …
- belong to
- date back
- go back
- …
- grow up
- gap
- for a generation
- for generations
- from generation to generation
- from one generation to the next
- [countable, uncountable]
a single stage in the history of a family （家史中的）一代，一辈 stories passed down from generation to generation 世代相传的故事 Five generations of his family had been farmers. 他的家人有五代人是农民。
- [countable, usually singular]
a group of people of similar age involved in a particular activity 一批，一届（从事特定活动的同龄人） He influenced my generation more than any other actor. 他对我这一代人的影响超过其他任何演员。 - of your generation
He was by far the most talented player of his generation. 他是迄今为止这一代最有才华的球员。 - generation of somebody
the current generation of writers 当前这一代作家 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。 The system is failing an entire generation of students. 该系统使整个一代学生不及格。 It is a book that has captivated generation after generation of readers. 这本书吸引了一代又一代的读者。 a transfer of power to a new generation of leaders 权力转移给新一代领导人
- [countable, usually singular]
a stage in the development of a product, usually a technical one （产品发展，尤指技术方面的）代 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
- [uncountable]
the production of something, especially electricity, heat, etc. （尤指电、热等的）产生 the generation of electricity 发电 methods of income generation 产生收益的方法 different methods of power generation 不同的发电方法
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- electricity
- power
- income
- …
Word OriginMiddle English: via Old French from Latin generatio(n-), from the verb generare, from genus, gener- ‘stock, race’.