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

Sweeping generalizations have been made by people such as Charles Barkley, LeBron James and Stephen A. Smith. —Shakeia Taylor, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2024

Instead, some of these men fall for the jig way too easily and are the first to pick up a microphone and say anything, not thinking about how their generalizations impact Black women. —Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 3 June 2024

Not only is there currently no basis for seeing it otherwise, but the resulting pseudoscientific generalizations could be downright dangerous. —Ross Perlin, Foreign Affairs, 23 Apr. 2024

Her work resists generalization — Manzoor resists it, too. —Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 26 May 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