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

Example Sentences

The researchers also found that most of the generated images were of seemingly White people, which they say is representative of the U.S. chemistry field.

From Science Daily

The study builds upon Navin's previous work on the Human Breast Cell Atlas, which profiled over 714,000 cells to generate a comprehensive genetic map of normal breast tissue at the cellular level.

From Science Daily

A long-standing question therefore has been whether the immune system can generate antibodies -- proteins that recognise and neutralise specific pathogens -- that can target the wide variety of PfEMP1 types in circulation.

From Science Daily

Cable channels have long been a key economic pillar by generating billions of dollars in cable distribution fees that more than covered up the misses when big-budget movies flopped or during advertising recessions.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite its tainted public image, another reactor at the plant continued to generate electricity until 2019.

From BBC

Related Words

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