Main Entry:

gen·er·ate

Pronunciation:

\ˈje-nə-ˌrāt\

Function:

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

gen·er·at·ed; gen·er·at·ing

Etymology:

Latin generatus, past participle of generare, from gener-, genus descent, birth — more at kin

Date:

1509

1: to bring into existence: as a: procreate, beget b: to originate by a vital, chemical, or physical process : produce <generate electricity> 2: to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind) <these stories…generate a good deal of psychological suspense — Atlantic>3: to define or originate (as a mathematical or linguistic set or structure) by the application of one or more rules or operations ; especially : to trace out (as a curve) by a moving point or trace out (as a surface) by a moving curve