generator

American  

[jen-uh-ray-ter] / ˈdʒɛn əˌreɪ tər /

noun

• generators
  plural

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.

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generator British  

/ 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

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generator Cultural  

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).

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• generators
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of generator

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

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Explanation

If your neighborhood loses power, it’s good to have your own generator so you can keep the lights on. A generator is machine that produces power. Generator can also mean someone who creates something. If you come up with lots of ideas, you are an idea generator. Not so helpful during a blackout unless you had the idea to get a portable generator. This kind of generator makes electricity out of some other type of power (like wind power) or fuel (like propane or gas). In Latin, generator means "begetter or producer," from generare, "to bring forth."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

generator generators

Shortly after he first experimented with large language models to write loglines, he started using Midjourney, the text-to-image AI generator, to help create pitch decks.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 11, 2026

He also pointed to "power cuts that have forced us to buy fuel for the generator".

From Barron's ● Nov. 5, 2026

A generator chugged loudly outside, supplying electricity after the power had been cut off.

From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026

Weil was now without its largest revenue generator and his prized M&A practice.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026

I could tell he was figuring out how to build the generator, and maybe making other plans as well.

From "Z for Zachariah" by Robert C. O’Brien

Unreliable electricity supplies force many households and businesses to rely on generators, pushing up the cost of living and doing business.

From BBC ● Nov. 12, 2026

The money normally spent on the parade will go instead toward pumps, hoses, plugs and generators, Fisher said, “resources our waterways and neighbors desperately need.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 9, 2026

The country is Southeast Asia's fastest growing hub for new data centres -- warehouse-like buildings crammed with servers that can train and run AI tools such as chatbots and image generators.

From Barron's ● Nov. 4, 2026

Independent power generators have been seen as eventual winners in an environment where AI-related power demand — and electricity prices — are on the rise.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 4, 2026

Diesel generators lit the new grove and the Golden Dawn field.

From "Tangerine" by Edward Bloor

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