third-generation

Language: en

📖 Definitions

  1. adjective
    Relating to or being the third in a series of successive generations, especially of a family, technology, or product line.; Referring to the third stage in the development of a technology or system, such as third-generation computers or third-generation mobile networks (3G).; Referring to the third iteration of a product or model in a commercial line.

🔗 Details

Word forms

Collocations

third-generation technologythird-generation immigrantthird-generation nuclear reactorthird-generation cephalosporinthird-generation mobile network

Derivatives

first-generationsecond-generationfourth-generationnext-generation

Commonly confused

third generation
EN: The hyphenated form 'third-generation' is used as a compound adjective before a noun (e.g., 'a third-generation immigrant'); the unhyphenated 'third generation' is used as a noun phrase (e.g., 'the third generation of immigrants').

Spelling tips

EN: Always hyphenate 'third-generation' when it functions as a compound adjective before a noun. Do not hyphenate when used predicatively or as a noun phrase.

💬 Examples

  1. She is a third-generation immigrant whose grandparents came from Italy.

  2. Third-generation computers used integrated circuits instead of discrete transistors.

  3. The third-generation iPad featured a Retina display.