noun
generator
JEH-nuh-ray-tuh
noun
1
A machine that converts mechanical energy or fuel into electricity.
"They ran a portable generator during the power outage."
"The hospital's backup generator kicked in within seconds."
2
A person or thing that produces or causes something.
"Tourism is a major generator of jobs in the region."
3
(computing) A piece of code or a tool that automatically produces output, such as random data or content, from given inputs.
"He used an online name generator to come up with usernames."
How to Use Generator
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA machine or tool that produces something — most often electricity.
Common pairings
backup generator
diesel generator
random generator
power generator
Word Forms
generators plural
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They ran a portable _____ during the power outage.
Etymology
From Latin generare ("to beget, produce") plus the agent suffix -or.