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

Anyone using diesel generators for primary or backup power has to pay more for diesel. — Vidya Mani, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026

Starship's 14th test flight was also the first Starship mission to make money for SpaceX; the company successfully deployed 26 Starlink satellites into orbit to build out its satellite internet division, SpaceX's primary revenue generator. — ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026

By balancing the speed of physical random number generators with the clarity of their signals, the new device principle, in theory, can achieve processing speed yielding high bit-rate with signal clarity and stochasticity. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026

The development will also include a new, private and Evergy-owned substation to serve the site along with 41 diesel generators in case of power failure. — Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 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