generate

verb

gen·​er·​ate ˈje-nə-ˌrāt 

generated; generating; generates

transitive verb

1

: to bring into existence: such as

a

: procreate, beget

b

: to create by means of a defined process : produce

generate electricity

generating profits/growth

images generated by a computer

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 (something, such as a mathematical or linguistic set or structure) by the application of one or more rules or operations

especially : to trace out (something, such as a curve) by a moving point or to trace out (a surface) by a moving curve

Synonyms of generate

• create
• cause
• bring
• produce
• prompt
• do

Examples of generate in a Sentence

windmills used to generate electricity

This business should generate a lot of revenue.

We hope to generate some new ideas at the meeting.

His theories have generated a great deal of interest among other scientists.

Her comments have generated a good deal of excitement.

They have been unable to generate much support for their proposals.

Recent Examples on the Web

Let the machines do what’s mechanical—generating practice problems, flagging errors, grading the responses that are beyond discussion. — Dan Rockmore, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026

Both teams struggled at times to generate consistency with their passing attacks. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026

The two reactors operated by Brazil at its Angra plant have the capacity to generate around 2,000 megawatts — just shy of the deficit Cuba’s Electric Union reported on September 16. — Juan Carlos López, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026

While traditional steel manufacturing relies on coal to process iron, Stegra’s plant in Boden, Sweden, will use renewable electricity to generate green hydrogen. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 18 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1509, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing generate

• self-generate

Rhymes for generate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

generate

verb

gen·​er·​ate ˈjen-ə-ˌrāt 

generated; generating

1

: to bring into existence

generate electricity

2

: to be the cause of or reason for

news that generated excitement

generative

-ə-ˌrāt-iv, 

-(ə-)rət-

adjective

Medical Definition

generate

verb

gen·​er·​ate ˈjen-ə-ˌrāt 

generated; generating

transitive verb

: to bring into existence

especially : procreate

generate innumerable offspring

intransitive verb

: to produce offspring : propagate