generalization

noun

gen·​er·​al·​i·​za·​tion ˌjen-rə-lə-ˈzā-shən  ˌje-nə- 

1

: the act or process of generalizing

2

: a general statement, law, principle, or proposition

made broad generalizations about women

3

: the act or process whereby a learned response is made to a stimulus similar to but not identical with the conditioned stimulus

Synonyms

• concept
• conception
• generality
• notion
• stereotype

Examples of generalization in a Sentence

He made several sweeping generalizations about women.

She was prone to generalization.

Recent Examples on the Web

Solution: Data augmentation, a technique that expands training datasets by creating variations or synthetic examples, and collaborative data sharing, which involves pooling anonymized and aggregated data, enhances model generalization by increasing data diversity and richness. —Balaji Dhamodharan, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025

One of the ultimate dreams of A.I. is generalization: how does your policy do when pushed beyond its training data? —James Somers, The New Yorker, 25 Nov. 2024

The Grateful Dead transcended any kind of generalization. —Steve Baltin, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024

Cautious generalizations are possible here, but young Russians, just like those of any generation, clearly have a broad range of views and attitudes. —Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

generalize + -ation

First Known Use

1761, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

generalization

noun

gen·​er·​al·​i·​za·​tion ˌjen-(ə-)rə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

1

: the act or process of generalizing

2

: a general statement, law, principle, or proposition

Medical Definition

generalization

noun

gen·​er·​al·​iza·​tion

variants or British generalisation

ˌjen-(ə-)rə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

1

: the action or process of becoming widespread or diffuse

secondary generalization of a partial seizure

2

: the act or process whereby a learned response is made to a stimulus similar to but not identical with the conditioned stimulus