generative grammar

noun

gen·​er·​a·​tive grammar
usually
ˈje-nə-rə-tiv- How to pronounce generative grammar (audio)
1
: a description in the form of a set of rules for producing the grammatical sentences of a language
2
: transformational grammar

Word History

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of generative grammar was in 1959

Dictionary Entries Near generative grammar

generative cell

generative grammar

generative nucleus

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Generative grammar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/generative%20grammar. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.

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More from Merriam-Webster on generative grammar

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about generative grammar

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