variants or less commonly next generation
: of or relating to a potential, forthcoming, or brand-new version of an existing product or technology : next-gen
The older hardware companies don't have the field to themselves. They're being challenged by waves of start-ups with next-generation technology.—Bethany McLean
The finding has added fuel to a long-standing dispute over the Navy's next-generation sonar technology—a system that environmentalists say poses grave risks to marine mammals.—David Kohn
Mr. [Lewis] Dale [General Motor's director of public policy] said the world's largest automaker spent $1 billion on electric vehicle and fuel cell research and prototype production in the past decade. He said GM doesn't want to make just 50,000 next generation vehicles, but rather sell millions.—Mike Pare

Examples of next-generation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The company plans to use the development to pursue opportunities in the next-generation zero-carbon maritime transport market. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026 The weight-loss medication, known as Reta, is an experimental peptide drug that Eli Lilly is studying as a next-generation obesity treatment. — Adam Yamaguchi, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 Spotify announced Wednesday the launch of its next-generation, fully native in-car app, built directly on Google’s Android Automotive operating system. — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2026 In September, Google announced its next-generation Gemini 4 Argon model. — Jordan Novet, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for next-generation

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of next-generation was in 1965

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Cite this Entry

“Next-generation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/next-generation. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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