generalize

verb

gen·​er·​al·​ize ˈjen-rə-ˌlīz  ˈje-nə- 

generalized; generalizing

transitive verb

1

: to give a general form to

2

a

: to derive or induce (a general conception or principle) from particulars

b

: to draw a general conclusion from

3

: to give general applicability to

generalize a law

also : to make indefinite

intransitive verb

1

: to form generalizations

also : to make vague or indefinite statements

She's always generalizing about men.

2

: to spread or extend throughout the body

generalizability

ˌjen-rə-ˌlī-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

ˌje-nə-

noun

generalizable

ˌjen-rə-ˈlī-zə-bəl 

ˌje-nə-

adjective

generalizer noun

Examples of generalize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Their ability to generalize across various domains shortens development cycles, giving businesses access to advanced AI without the need for extensive resources or expertise. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 11 Oct. 2024

Activists accused the museums of being complicit in Chinese political pressure to undermine Tibetan culture by altering and generalizing cataloguing terms that display Tibetan roots as distinct from Chinese regions. —Angelica Villa, ARTnews.com, 24 Sep. 2024

Complex Learning And Adaptation AGI must learn from limited data and generalize knowledge across different domains. —Nikhil Jathar, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024

This ended up generalizing the problem: Energy accounted for more than half of the rise in euro zone inflation from the start of 2021 to mid-2022. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune Europe, 8 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

general entry 1 + -ize

First Known Use

1710, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

generalize

verb

gen·​er·​al·​ize ˈjen-(ə-)rə-ˌlīz 

generalized; generalizing

: to put in the form of a general rule : draw or state a general conclusion from a number of items or instances

Medical Definition

generalize

intransitive verb

gen·​er·​al·​ize

variants or British generalise

ˈjen-(ə-)rə-ˌlīz 

generalized or British generalised; generalizing or British generalising

: to spread or extend through all of a body part or region or through most of the entire body