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 facility expands the company’s capability to develop, test, and validate next-generation wireless semiconductor technologies for Internet of Things applications, according to a press release from Silicon Labs. Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026 The automaker on Wednesday, though, announced a tie-up with General Dynamics Land Systems and engineering firm Ricardo to compete for a next-generation vehicle for the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence's Light Mobility Vehicle program. Michael Wayland, CNBC, 5 Sep. 2026 Liu pointed to China’s 2025 Global AI Governance Action Plan, which calls for accelerating construction of clean power, next-generation networks, computing capacity and data centers. Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2026 For professional creators, designers, and video editors, the 13-inch iPad Pro powered by Apple's next-generation M5 silicon is the benchmark tablet. Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 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 7 Sep. 2026.

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