generator

B2 Topic:Tools, Machines & Construction

US /ˈdʒɛnəˌreɪtɚ/ UK /ˈdʒenəreɪtə/ See IPA manual

Freq #6948

Meanings

1

noun
a machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy

A diesel generator supplied electricity during the power cut.
2

noun
a device, program, or process that produces a particular signal, substance, value, or result

The test suite uses a random-number generator to create sample inputs.
3

noun
a person or thing that originates, creates, or causes something

Tourism is a major generator of employment in the region.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a machine that converts... dynamoelectric generator

2 noun · a device, program, or... producer source

3 noun · a person or thing that... creator producer source

Word family

Derived forms cogeneratormicrogeneratorturbogenerator

Related forms generate generation electricity

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

electrostatic generator
a device that builds up static electrical charge to produce a high voltage

Adjective + noun

Etymology

From Late Latin generator, "begetter or producer," from generare, "to beget or produce," the source of generate. The electrical sense arose for a machine that produces current; later technical compounds apply the same producer metaphor to signals, values, gases, and other outputs.

Topics

Tools, Machines & Construction

External links

# generator

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈdʒɛnəˌreɪtɚ/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈdʒenəreɪtə/
**Frequency rank:** 6948

## Meanings
1. a machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy
2. a device, program, or process that produces a particular signal, substance, value, or result
3. a person or thing that originates, creates, or causes something

## Examples
- A diesel generator supplied electricity during the power cut.
- The test suite uses a random-number generator to create sample inputs.
- Tourism is a major generator of employment in the region.

## Synonyms
- dynamo
- producer
- creator
- source

## Derived Forms
- cogenerator
- microgenerator
- turbogenerator

## Related Forms
- generate
- generation
- electricity

## Etymology
From Late Latin generator, "begetter or producer," from generare, "to beget or produce," the source of generate. The electrical sense arose for a machine that produces current; later technical compounds apply the same producer metaphor to signals, values, gases, and other outputs.

## Topics
- Tools, Machines & Construction

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