generative
adjective
gen·er·a·tive
ˈje-nə-rə-tiv 
ˈjen-rə-tiv,
ˈje-nə-ˌrā-tiv
: having the power or function of generating, originating, producing, or reproducing
… Elizabeth Gilbert dives into her own generative process to share her wisdom and unique perspective about creativity.—
Camryn La Sala
Camryn La Sala… her gift is essentially organizational rather than generative.—Martin Filler
: such as
Martin Filler
a
biology
: of or relating to the production of offspring
vegetative and generative plant growth
the generative organs of mammals
see also generative cell, generative nucleus
b
computing
: using artificial intelligence algorithms to create complete units of content (such as text compositions, images, audio, or video) based on a broad corpus of material
Unlike the phone's predictive text feature, ChatGPT is said to be generative (the G in GPT).—JoElla Carman and Jasmine Cui
see also generative AI
JoElla Carman and Jasmine CuiExamples of generative in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When used right, RAG helps to make generative AI both useful and safe for business.
—Daniel Fallmann, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
That’s what happened last week when filmmaker Shawn McDaniel demoed Adobe Firefly’s new generative sound effects feature for IndieWire.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 22 July 2025
Parham was a generative artificial intelligence technical lead at the Pentagon’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office and helped negotiate deals and integrate AI into Defense Department initiatives.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 22 July 2025
McCreary addressed the question of protecting audiovisual IP in an age of generative ai software, suggesting one of her biggest challenges was protecting Freeman himself.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for generative
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Daniel Fallmann, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025
That’s what happened last week when filmmaker Shawn McDaniel demoed Adobe Firefly’s new generative sound effects feature for IndieWire.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 22 July 2025
Parham was a generative artificial intelligence technical lead at the Pentagon’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office and helped negotiate deals and integrate AI into Defense Department initiatives.
—David Ingram, NBC news, 22 July 2025
McCreary addressed the question of protecting audiovisual IP in an age of generative ai software, suggesting one of her biggest challenges was protecting Freeman himself.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 22 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for generative
Cite this Entry
“Generative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/generative. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
generative
adjective
gen·er·a·tive
ˈjen-(ə-)rət-iv
-ə-ˌrāt-
-ə-ˌrāt-
: having the power or function of propagating or reproducing
generative organs
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