generator

American  

[jen-uh-rey-ter] / ˈdʒɛn əˌreɪ tər /

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.

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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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Etymology

Origin of generator

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

Example Sentences

Last year, Disney and NBCUniversal sued AI image generator Midjourney, accusing the platform of generating "endless unauthorised copies" of the studios' copyrighted works.

From BBC

Caterpillar, up over 34%, leads dividend aristocrats, benefiting from lower interest rates and AI data center generator demand.

From Barron's

The government has backed plans for many more to be built to help turn the UK into an "AI superpower", despite the large amounts of electricity needed to run them, including from gas-powered generators.

From BBC

Basically, there was a big drop in power outages during the latest quarter compared with the previous year, which has reduced demand among homeowners for generators.

From MarketWatch

Orders from the Energy Department lifted some environmental rules to allow many generators to operate at full tilt, too.

From The Wall Street Journal