self-generated; self-generating; self-generates

transitive + intransitive

: to generate (something, such as electricity or funds) by or for oneself
… allowing the school the capability to self-generate power until the power grid is restored. Bill Hoban
Gregory Smith, associate dean for business and financial affairs for the Law Center, said the tuition increase is something the Law Center applied for through LSU out of a need to self-generate revenue after state appropriations were cut by about 25 percent. The Reveille (Louisiana State University)
Just raising rates for those who cannot self-generate, while those who can do so leave the grid, is not acceptable to us, as a matter of community well-being and fairness. Peter Rosegg

Examples of self-generate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Motivation and momentum will have to be self-generated. George Caulkin, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025 Hijacking all the ups and downs was discourse — mostly self-generated and reasonable — about the existential direction of the franchise. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-generate was in 1875

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Self-generate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-generate. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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