generator

noun

gen·​er·​a·​tor ˈje-nə-ˌrā-tər 

1

: one that generates: such as

a

: an apparatus in which vapor or gas is formed

b

: a machine by which mechanical energy is changed into electrical energy

2

: a mathematical entity that when subjected to one or more operations yields another mathematical entity or its elements

specifically : generatrix

Did you know?

Generators work by rotating a coil of wire in a magnetic field, causing a current to flow in the wire. A generator may be a huge spinning turbine powered by water, wind, steam, gas, or nuclear reactions, which sends electricity out through power lines to thousands of customers. But normally when we use the word, we're thinking of a small machine powered by gasoline or diesel, such as you might keep in your basement for those times when a storm knocks out your power, to create electricity right in front of your eyes. A special kind of generator called an alternator powers a car's electrical system (including its lights, power steering, etc.) while the car is running.

Synonyms

• author
• begetter
• creator
• establisher
• father
• founder
• founding father
• inaugurator
• initiator
• instituter
• institutor
• originator
• sire

Examples of generator in a Sentence

This new product will be a major revenue generator.

a backup generator for the store

Recent Examples on the Web

This capability can be applied across various market participants, including loads, generators and even prosumers. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024

One of its apps, DaVinci AI, is advertised as an AI image generator with some photo editing features. —Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 9 Dec. 2024

There are also online generators like Elfster, drawnames.com and Secret Santa Hat that will assign people remotely. —Kinsey Crowley, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024

Given that humans cannot oversee these systems during wartime, militaries need fast, light, and diverse auxiliary policing systems, such as those emerging to detect violations of driving rules by autonomous vehicles or hate speech in text generators. —Sebastian Elbaum, Foreign Affairs, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing generator

• electrostatic generator
• Van de Graaff generator

Kids Definition

generator

noun

gen·​er·​a·​tor ˈjen-ə-ˌrāt-ər 

: one that generates: as

a

: a piece of laboratory equipment in which vapor or gas is formed

b

: a machine by which mechanical energy is changed into electrical energy