GENERATOR

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does generator mean? 

• GENERATOR (noun)
  The noun GENERATOR has 4 senses:

1. an apparatus that produces a vapor or gas

2. engine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy by electromagnetic induction

3. someone who originates or causes or initiates something

4. an electronic device for producing a signal voltage

  Familiarity information: GENERATOR used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• GENERATOR (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An apparatus that produces a vapor or gas

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("generator" is a kind of...):

apparatus; setup (equipment designed to serve a specific function)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Engine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy by electromagnetic induction

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("generator" is a kind of...):

engine (motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work)

Meronyms (parts of "generator"):

brush (conducts current between rotating and stationary parts of a generator or motor)

rotor; rotor coil (the rotating armature of a motor or generator)

stator; stator coil (mechanical device consisting of the stationary part of a motor or generator in or around which the rotor revolves)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "generator"):

alternator (an old term for 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)

Derivation:

generate (produce (energy))

Sense 3

Meaning:

Someone who originates or causes or initiates something

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

author; generator; source

Context example:

he was the generator of several complaints

Hypernyms ("generator" is a kind of...):

maker; shaper (a person who makes things)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "generator"):

coiner (someone who is a source of new words or new expressions)

Derivation:

generate (bring into existence)

Sense 4

Meaning:

An electronic device for producing a signal voltage

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("generator" is a kind of...):

electronic device (a device that accomplishes its purpose electronically)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "generator"):

oscillator (generator that produces sonic oscillations or alternating current)

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

 Context examples 

"In the short term we're looking to make a compact infrared power supply, perhaps to replace radioisotope thermoelectric generators."

(Harvesting Electrical Power from Waste Heat, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

The pacing and/or sensing problem associated with high impedance due to a poor connection between a lead and generator caused by a loose set screw.

(Cardiac Device Set Screw Problem, NCI Thesaurus/ACC)

The device has a generator malfunction.

(Device Generator Malfunction, NCI Thesaurus/ACC)

A dosing unit equal to the amount of active ingredient(s) produced by a generator.

(Generator Dosing Unit, NCI Thesaurus)

Device consisting of hairs or bristles set into a handle or holder, especially one that conducts current between the rotating and stationary parts of a generator or motor.

(Brush Device Component, NCI Thesaurus)

A cardiac lead requires revision, at which time the generator to the device will be replaced.

(Cardiac Device Generator is Being Replaced at Time of Lead Revision, NCI Thesaurus/ACC)

This means a lighting system would have to be set up using batteries or a generator, making the practical implementation of the method a big challenge.

(Shining light at night quells mosquito bites, SciDev.Net)

A cardiac pacemaker where the generator is implanted inside the body.

(Permanent Cardiac Pacemaker, NCI Thesaurus)

Issue associated with the failure of the facility's emergency power backup systems(s) including generators and/or uninterruptible power systems (UPS).

(Emergency Power Failure Medical Device Problem, Food and Drug Administration)

Itaipu Binacional, the world's biggest generator of hydroelectric energy, founded the first biomethane plant that uses a mixture of sewage, grass clippings, and restaurant leftover food as raw material.

(Biomethane rises as alternate source of energy in Brazil, Agência Brasil)