Definition of GENERATOR

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Generators work by rotating a coil of wire in a magnetic field, causing a current to flow in the wire. A generator may be a huge spinning turbine powered by water, wind, steam, gas, or nuclear reactions, which sends electricity out through power lines to thousands of customers. But normally when we use the word, we're thinking of a small machine powered by gasoline or diesel, such as you might keep in your basement for those times when a storm knocks out your power, to create electricity right in front of your eyes. A special kind of generator called an alternator powers a car's electrical system (including its lights, power steering, etc.) while the car is running.

Examples of generator in a Sentence

This new product will be a major revenue generator. a backup generator for the store

Recent Examples on the Web In his youth, according to his son, Mr. Kirsch — already a tinkerer — scavenged for electrical parts to cobble together a generator that made his sister’s red hair stand on end. — Emily Langer, Washington Post, "Russell Kirsch, computer scientist who scanned first digital image, dies at 91," 13 Aug. 2020 One of those trees landed on the top of Martin Woods’ backyard shed in West Hartford, punching through the roof and crushing several rafters. Woods and his wife, Cathy, were setting up a generator around 6 p.m. Tuesday after having just lost power. — Kenneth R. Gosselin, courant.com, "Storm Isaias packs potential multibillion dollar property damage punch as 2020 hurricane season is shaping up to be historic," 7 Aug. 2020 The 36-foot long Whataburger on wheels comes with 24 feet of cooking space powered by a 30,000-watt generator, according to a press release. — Sonia Ramirez, Houston Chronicle, "Whataburger unveils new food truck going on a multi-state tour in 2021," 7 Aug. 2020 As power outages mount due to the storm, Sullivan also advised people to never place a running generator inside a home or garage. — Fox News, "North Carolina county warns of chainsaw accidents, fire ants in wake of Isaias," 4 Aug. 2020 The period measured was before the global spread of the new coronavirus, while the country’s mining industry, once a key cash generator, recorded minus growth for the third consecutive year. ... — Andrew Jeong, WSJ, "North Korea’s Economy Grew in 2019, Despite International Sanctions," 31 July 2020 The advantages of a solar generator like this are myriad. — Caroline Delbert, Popular Mechanics, "Solar-Powered Nanotubes Could Bring Water to the World," 9 July 2020 Five or six drones buzzed over the perimeter fence of the nuclear plant— the largest power generator in the United States — 50 miles west of Phoenix. — Ryan Randazzo, The Arizona Republic, "Mystery at Arizona's Palo Verde nuclear plant: Who flew drones over the reactors?," 1 Aug. 2020 Power is provided by a multi-mission radioisotope thermoelectric generator, or MMRTG, that produces heat from the decay of 10.6 pounds of radioactive plutonium 238 dioxide. — William Harwood, CBS News, "NASA readies launch of Mars rover to look for signs of past life, collect samples for return to Earth," 28 July 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'generator.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.