generate

verb

gen·​er·​ate ˈje-nə-ˌrāt How to pronounce generate (audio)
generated; generating; generates

transitive verb

1
: to bring into existence: such as
b
: to create by means of a defined process : produce
generate electricity
generating profits/growth
images generated by a computer
2
: to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind)
these stories … generate a good deal of psychological suspenseAtlantic
3
: to define or originate (something, such as a mathematical or linguistic set or structure) by the application of one or more rules or operations
especially : to trace out (something, such as a curve) by a moving point or to trace out (a surface) by a moving curve

Examples of generate in a Sentence

windmills used to generate electricity This business should generate a lot of revenue. We hope to generate some new ideas at the meeting. His theories have generated a great deal of interest among other scientists. Her comments have generated a good deal of excitement. They have been unable to generate much support for their proposals.
Recent Examples on the Web Revenue reflects aggregate 10-year revenue streams, both generated and expected, directly associated with the releases (including theatrical, home entertainment, pay and free television and consumer products). Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2024 Turning to linear networks is a means of generating more revenue to help monetize their investments in streaming. Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 The company generated revenue during the holiday-quarter of $9.9 billion, or earnings of $1.83 per share. Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2024 The larger one, for $1.05 billion, would be paid back with tax receipts and other revenue generated at the arena in Potomac Yard and adjacent development. Jonathan O'Connell, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024 The apartments will generate revenue to help support continuing operations at the new facility, said Colleen Reynolds, who has been hired as a consultant on the project. Randy Tucker, The Enquirer, 14 Mar. 2024 On Chinese social media site Weibo, hashtags related to TikTok being potentially banned in the US were trending on Thursday, generating 78 million views and thousands of discussion posts. Laura He, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 Haase’s eight years in charge generated no Pac-12 regular season or tournament titles and, more significantly, zero NCAA Tournament appearances. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024 Foreign direct investment was nearly $40 billion last year, more than twice the total generated in 2019. Patricia Cohen, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'generate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin generatus, past participle of generare, from gener-, genus descent, birth — more at kin

First Known Use

1509, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of generate was in 1509

Dictionary Entries Near generate

Cite this Entry

“Generate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/generate. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

generate

verb
gen·​er·​ate ˈjen-ə-ˌrāt How to pronounce generate (audio)
generated; generating
1
: to bring into existence
generate electricity
2
: to be the cause of or reason for
news that generated excitement
generative
-ə-ˌrāt-iv
-(ə-)rət-
adjective

Medical Definition

generate

verb
gen·​er·​ate ˈjen-ə-ˌrāt How to pronounce generate (audio)
generated; generating

transitive verb

: to bring into existence
especially : procreate
generate innumerable offspring

intransitive verb

: to produce offspring : propagate

More from Merriam-Webster on generate

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