generator

[jen-uh-rey-ter]

noun

1. a machine that converts one form of energy into another, especially mechanical energy into electrical energy, as a dynamo, or electrical energy into sound, as an acoustic generator.

2. a person or thing that generates.

3. Chemistry.,  an apparatus for producing a gas or vapor.

4. Mathematics.

   1. an element or one of a set of elements from which a specified mathematical object can be formed by applying certain operations.

   2. an element, as a line, that generates a figure.

5. Computers.,  a program that produces a particular type of output on demand, as random numbers, an application program, or a report.

generator

/ ˈdʒɛnəˌreɪtə /

noun

1. physics

   1. any device for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy by electromagnetic induction, esp a large one as in a power station

   2. a device for producing a voltage electrostatically

   3. any device that converts one form of energy into another form

      an acoustic generator

2. an apparatus for producing a gas

3. a person or thing that generates

generator

1. A device that produces electric current (see also current), usually by rotating a conductor in a magnetic field, thereby generating current through electromagnetic induction. This sort of generator produces an alternating current (AC).

Word History and Origins

Origin of generator¹

1640–50; < Latin generātor producer, equivalent to generā ( re ) ( generate ) + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

Cloud seeding involves injecting chemical salts including silver or potassium iodide into clouds via aircraft or through generators on the ground.

Read more on BBC

Traditional droplet electricity generators, however, often struggle with low efficiency, heavy components, and limited potential for scaling up.

Read more on Science Daily

Today’s chatbots and image generators will, companies hope, become pricier AI agents that act on our behalf, and even humanoid robots.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But low prices that year led producers to curtail output and power generators to favor natural gas, and by the end of the 2024 injection season the surplus was down to around 5%.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

They tell reporters the leaked video of their affair was a fake, created with Sora 2, the latest version of OpenAI’s video generator.

Read more on Los Angeles Times