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

• author
• begetter
• creator
• establisher
• father
• founder
• founding father
• inaugurator
• initiator
• instituter
• institutor
• originator
• sire

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

Soundtrack Your Brand, a global music streaming service that provides music for businesses, launched an AI playlist generator last week. —Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 16 Apr. 2024

The hotel boasts Marcus Restaurant + Terrace, in partnership with legendary Manhattan chef Marcus Samuelsson; a Guerlain Spa; and a skylit swimming pool with an upstream current generator. —Elizabeth Warkentin, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2024

The engineer on watch forgot to throw a switch that would prevent the generators from overheating, leading to the outage. —USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024

This solar generator comes with a foldout solar panel that can quickly charge the generator. —Christopher Murray, Fox News, 11 Apr. 2024

Riddell said auto dealerships are among the largest tax generators that a city can have. —Corina Vanek, The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2024

In addition, the yacht will be equipped with an innovative heat recovery system that uses the thermal energy from the generators to heat the water in the pools, the water boilers, and the deck washing system to further reduce fuel consumption. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 5 Apr. 2024

OpenAI’s Dall-E image generator, meanwhile, has taken heat for perpetuating harmful racial and ethnic stereotypes. —Catherine Thorbecke, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024

Cartoon generators spin up New Yorker–style illustrations and vivid anime stills. —Kate Knibbs, WIRED, 4 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing generator

• electrostatic generator
• Van de Graaff generator

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