generator

/ˌdʒɛnəˈreɪdər/

/ˈdʒɛnəreɪtə/

Other forms: generators

If your neighborhood loses power, it’s good to have your own generator so you can keep the lights on. A generator is machine that produces power.

Generator can also mean someone who creates something. If you come up with lots of ideas, you are an idea generator. Not so helpful during a blackout unless you had the idea to get a portable generator. This kind of generator makes electricity out of some other type of power (like wind power) or fuel (like propane or gas). In Latin, generator means "begetter or producer," from generare, "to bring forth."

Definitions of generator

1. noun

   someone who originates or causes or initiates something
   “he was the generator of several complaints”

   synonyms: author, source

   types:

   coiner

   someone who is a source of new words or new expressions

   type of:

   maker, shaper

   a person who makes things
2. noun

   an apparatus that produces a vapor or gas
   type of:

   apparatus, setup

   equipment designed to serve a specific function
3. noun

   engine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy by electromagnetic induction
   types:

   alternator

   an electric generator that produces alternating current (especially in automobiles)

   dynamo

   generator consisting of a coil (the armature) that rotates between the poles of an electromagnet (the field magnet) causing a current to flow in the armature

   magneto, magnetoelectric machine

   a small dynamo with a secondary winding that produces a high voltage enabling a spark to jump between the poles of a spark plug in a gasoline engine

   turbogenerator

   generator consisting of a steam turbine coupled to an electric generator for the production of electric power

   aerogenerator, wind generator, windmill

   generator that extracts usable energy from winds

   type of:

   engine

   motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
4. noun

   an electronic device for producing a signal voltage
   types:

   oscillator

   generator that produces sonic oscillations or alternating current

   pulse generator

   a generator of single or multiple voltage pulses; usually adjustable for pulse rate

   crystal oscillator, quartz oscillator

   an oscillator that produces electrical oscillations at a frequency determined by the physical characteristics of a piezoelectric quartz crystal

   heterodyne oscillator, local oscillator

   an oscillator whose output heterodynes with the incoming radio signal to produce sum and difference tones

   pinger

   a pulse generator used for echo sounding in sonar

   type of:

   electronic device

   a device that accomplishes its purpose electronically