generator

noun

gen·​er·​a·​tor ˈje-nə-ˌrā-tər 

1

: one that generates: such as

a

: an apparatus in which vapor or gas is formed

b

: a machine by which mechanical energy is changed into electrical energy

2

: a mathematical entity that when subjected to one or more operations yields another mathematical entity or its elements

specifically : generatrix

Did you know?

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.

Synonyms of generator

• creator
• founder
• father
• inventor
• author
• maker

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 addition to its gender split pledge, Øya is regularly recognized as one of the leaders in festival sustainability, prioritizing waste management, stopping the use of fuel generators in 2008, and only serving meat-free food since 2024. — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026

What followed were blackouts stretching up to 18 hours a day—a gap that expensive diesel generators could not fill. — Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Voyager 2 and its twin launched in 1977, called Voyager 1, rely on a form of nuclear battery known as a radioisotope thermoelectric generator that uses the heat produced by the decay of plutonium. — Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 7 Aug. 2026

The linear generator turns heat into electricity using a flameless, low-temperature oxidation process. — Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1637, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing generator

• electrostatic generator
• Van de Graaff generator

Rhymes for generator

• activator
• actuator
• agitator
• alligator
• allocator
• alternator
• animator
• annotator
• applicator
• arbitrator
• aspirator
• aviator

Kids Definition

generator

noun

gen·​er·​a·​tor ˈjen-ə-ˌrāt-ər 

: one that generates: as

a

: a piece of laboratory equipment in which vapor or gas is formed

b

: a machine by which mechanical energy is changed into electrical energy