generator
noun
Did you know?
Generators work by rotating a coil of wire in a magnetic field, causing a current to flow in the wire. A generator may be a huge spinning turbine powered by water, wind, steam, gas, or nuclear reactions, which sends electricity out through power lines to thousands of customers. But normally when we use the word, we're thinking of a small machine powered by gasoline or diesel, such as you might keep in your basement for those times when a storm knocks out your power, to create electricity right in front of your eyes. A special kind of generator called an alternator powers a car's electrical system (including its lights, power steering, etc.) while the car is running.
Examples of generator in a Sentence
NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
The agency approved the emissions permit in July for eight simple-cycle power turbines and 87 linear generators.
—Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2026
In 2024, the company launched Apple Intelligence, which includes image generators, text rewriters, the ability to summarize push notifications and an integration with ChatGPT.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2026
In Nigeria, the IRC says fuel prices have surged by 50% and clinics are struggling to power equipment, such as generators and mobile health teams have scaled back operations.
—ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for generator
Cite this Entry
“Generator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/generator. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
generator
noun
