generate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to bring into existence; cause to be; produce.
-
to create by a vital or natural process.
-
to create and distribute vitally and profusely.
He generates ideas that we all should consider.
A good diplomat generates good will.
-
to reproduce; procreate.
-
to produce by a chemical process.
-
Mathematics.
-
to trace (a figure) by the motion of a point, straight line, or curve.
-
to act as base for all the elements of a given set.
The number 2 generates the set 2, 4, 8, 16.
-
-
Linguistics. to produce or specify (a grammatical sentence or other construction or set of constructions) by the application of a rule or set of rules in a generative grammar.
verb (used without object)
verb
-
to produce or bring into being; create
-
(also intr) to produce (electricity), esp in a power station
-
to produce (a substance) by a chemical process
-
maths linguistics to provide a precise criterion or specification for membership in (a set)
these rules will generate all the noun phrases in English
-
geometry to trace or form by moving a point, line, or plane in a specific way
circular motion of a line generates a cylinder
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of generate
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin generātus “begotten, produced,” past participle of generāre “to beget”; see genus
Explanation
Generate means produce or create. A good stock pick might generate cash, and a good idea might generate the basis for an Oscar-winning film. Generate and the closely related word generation both come from the Latin word genus, which means "stock or race." Its root, in turn, is the Proto-Indo-European gen-, "to produce, give birth, or beget." Let's say you have two siblings. In that case, your parents' marriage has generated three children. In a hydroelectric power plant, water generates power. And you can get a paper route or babysit if you're looking to generate a little income.
Vocabulary lists containing generate
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Watsons Go to Birmingham
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Words for Father's Day: What Fathers Do
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
OpenAI will have to overcome a host of other challenges, namely concerns about whether the company will be able to generate enough revenue to support its giant data-center spending commitments.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026
Phones already generate enormous streams of location data.
From Slate • May 20, 2026
The team calculated that this amount could generate approximately 4.7 million kilowatts of energy per year from just one location, enough to meet the yearly energy demands of more than 400 homes.
From Science Daily • May 20, 2026
The existing system fails to properly reward athletes whose talents and dedication provide the entertainment that sports bodies depend on to generate revenue.
From BBC • May 20, 2026
He candidly explained that it wasn’t me he was actually interested in, or even the publicity he hoped my article would generate, particularly.
From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
