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

Etymology

Origin of generator

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

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

A fire in the backup generator of his old stone cottage on Rathlin Island left him without electricity, heating or hot water.

From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2026

"A ventilator came to a halt, but we do have a generator at the hospital."

From Barron's ● Sep. 13, 2026

If a utility sells 100 MWh of electricity, but only 50 MWh qualifies as renewable while the state requires 60 MWh, it can buy 10 RECs from another renewable generator to close the gap.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 10, 2026

They are designed first as electric vehicles, and the engine solely acts as a generator for the battery, with no mechanical connection to the wheels.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 6, 2026

Over the drone of the generator I can hear electronic dance music playing inside the house.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

BT said it offered a range of options in the event of a power cut, and that back-up power generators were being added to more sites.

From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2026

Earlier this year, in response to community pushback, Oracle and BorderPlex announced a plan to use Bloom Energy fuel cells to power Project Jupiter, replacing an earlier plan involving gas turbines and diesel generators.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026

“Some people will bring generators just to avoid the impact on their host, and make things a little bit easier.”

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 24, 2026

Two years ago, the biggest record labels took artificial intelligence music generators to court for copyright infringement.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 21, 2026

Missing, too, was the ever-present buzz of diesel generators.

From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs