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 of generalization

• stereotype
• concept
• notion
• conception
• theory

Examples of generalization in a Sentence

He made several sweeping generalizations about women.

She was prone to generalization.

Recent Examples on the Web

Some called out the statement for making sweeping generalizations about Phish fans, especially when most of the crowd was all kind vibes. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2026

Everything from the environments to the tasks to the specific objects being manipulated can be carefully selected to show just what’s possible if all this could be sufficiently generalized—but that generalization is not yet proven. — ArsTechnica, 13 July 2026

The company says this approach improves physical accuracy, execution efficiency, and generalization for real-world robotic applications. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 13 July 2026

That includes everything from feeding the lie that Obama was not born in the United States to crude generalizations about majority-Black countries and posts that have sparked anger on his Truth Social website. — Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

generalize + -ation

First Known Use

1761, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for generalization

• acclimatisation
• acclimatization
• acidification
• actualization
• annualization
• autocorrelation
• autoregulation
• beatification
• beneficiation
• biodegradation
• biotransformation
• bureaucratization

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