generate

[ jen-uh-reyt ]

verb (used with object)

, gen·er·at·ed, gen·er·at·ing.

1. to bring into existence; cause to be; produce.

   Synonyms: institute, engender, originate, evolve, create

2. to create by a vital or natural process.
3. to create and distribute vitally and profusely:

   He generates ideas that we all should consider.

   A good diplomat generates good will.

4. to reproduce; procreate.
5. to produce by a chemical process.
6. Mathematics.
   1. to trace (a figure) by the motion of a point, straight line, or curve.
   2. to act as base for all the elements of a given set:

      The number 2 generates the set 2, 4, 8, 16.

7. Linguistics. to produce or specify (a grammatical sentence or other construction or set of constructions) by the application of a rule or set of rules in a generative grammar.

verb (used without object)

, gen·er·at·ed, gen·er·at·ing.

1. to reproduce; propagate.

generate

/ ˈdʒɛnəˌreɪt /

verb

1. to produce or bring into being; create
2. also intr to produce (electricity), esp in a power station
3. to produce (a substance) by a chemical process
4. maths linguistics to provide a precise criterion or specification for membership in (a set)

   these rules will generate all the noun phrases in English

5. geometry to trace or form by moving a point, line, or plane in a specific way

   circular motion of a line generates a cylinder

Other Words From

• inter·gener·ating adjective
• non·gener·ating adjective
• pre·gener·ate verb (used with object) pregenerated pregenerating
• un·gener·ated adjective
• un·gener·ating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of generate¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin generātus “begotten, produced,” past participle of generāre “to beget”; genus

Word History and Origins

Origin of generate¹

C16: from Latin generāre to beget, from genus kind

Related Words

• achieve
• bring about
• cause
• develop
• engender
• make
• provoke
• set up
• spawn