Generation Z

noun

: the generation of people born in the late 1990s and early 2000s
Generally, members of Generation Z are tech-savvy, pragmatic, open-minded, individualistic but also socially responsible …—An Hodgson
For Generation Z, swiping, tapping and scrolling are about as second nature as breathing.—Dara Treseder
compare generation x, generation y

Examples of Generation Z in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Like a cloud of second-hand smoke, there’s a lingering vibe that Generation Z is getting into cigarettes. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2026 Generation Z’s version of retail therapy increasingly comes with a shot of espresso, as the likes of Coach, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Aritzia, Uniqlo, and countless other brands have opened in-store or stand-alone cafés in recent years. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 5 Aug. 2026 These serve as top-of-funnel brand awareness channels for Generation Z and Generation Alpha. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 31 July 2026 During the monsoon season of 2026, India’s Generation Z led a massive countrywide protest. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for Generation Z

Word History

First Known Use

1993, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Generation Z was in 1993

Rhymes for Generation Z

See All Rhymes for Generation Z

Browse Nearby Words

Generation Y
Generation Z
generative
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Generation Z.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Generation%20Z. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All