generate
verb
gen·er·ate
ˈje-nə-ˌrāt 
generated; generating; generates
1
2
: to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind)
These stories … generate a good deal of psychological suspense …—
Atlantic
Atlantic3
: 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
Synonyms
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
City staffers were directed to prepare a financial plan that would set aside tax revenue generated by commercial activities at El Corazon and use that money only to develop and maintain parks within the property, instead of spending the cash citywide as part of the general fund.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025
Each unit equals one album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album.
—Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 26 Jan. 2025
Elements partially generated by Adobe Firefly generative AI.
—Melissa Gray, NPR, 26 Jan. 2025
The impulse generated is not as immediately forceful as a chemical rocket, but ion engines require less fuel and therefore less mass, which reduces launch costs, and ion engines don't use up all their fuel as quickly as chemical rockets do.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for generate 
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Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025
Each unit equals one album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album.
—Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 26 Jan. 2025
Elements partially generated by Adobe Firefly generative AI.
—Melissa Gray, NPR, 26 Jan. 2025
The impulse generated is not as immediately forceful as a chemical rocket, but ion engines require less fuel and therefore less mass, which reduces launch costs, and ion engines don't use up all their fuel as quickly as chemical rockets do.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 25 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for generate
Dictionary Entries Near generate
Cite this Entry
“Generate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/generate. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
generate
verb
gen·er·ate
ˈjen-ə-ˌrāt
generated; generating
1
: to bring into existence
generate electricity
2
: to be the cause of or reason for
news that generated excitement
generative
adjective
-ə-ˌrāt-iv
-(ə-)rət-
Medical Definition
generate
verb
gen·er·ate
ˈjen-ə-ˌrāt
generated; generating
: to bring into existence
: to produce offspring : propagate
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