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
Read the full Pisces Daily Horoscope This horoscope was generated automatically using information from Sanctuary.
—USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2024
Protected bike lanes, RiverWalk murals, and designs to improve King Drive and Pere Marquette Park would be financed through $6.4 million generated by property tax revenue from newer Milwaukee developments under plans before city officials.
—Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2024
After a hectic and successful awards season, Gladstone is back on the press circuit to promote Under the Bridge, which is already generating Emmy buzz for her and costar Riley Keough.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 18 Apr. 2024
That’s not to say there aren’t bumps in the road: Lower-than-expected sales numbers reported this week generated a stock selloff, and ASML is caught in the political crossfire of the semiconductor arms race between the U.S. and China.
—Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 18 Apr. 2024
This article was generated by the Kansas City Star Bot, artificial intelligence software that analyzes structured information from TomTom and applies it to templates created by journalists in the newsroom.
—Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2024
Congress could override the cancellation but would have to generate enough votes to override a veto, a high bar considering how the two chambers are so evenly divided.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 18 Apr. 2024
Would a Costco boost West Perrine? Instead of the land sitting vacant for another decade, McGhee argued Miami-Dade would be better off accepting the Swerdlow offer and generating taxes with it in private hands while also bringing new retail jobs to the area.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024
Former president Donald Trump’s social media company generated just $4 million in revenue last year — about as much as the average McDonald’s franchise in the United States, according to a report last year by the fast-food industry publication QSR.
—Drew Harwell, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2024
USA TODAY, 19 Apr. 2024
Protected bike lanes, RiverWalk murals, and designs to improve King Drive and Pere Marquette Park would be financed through $6.4 million generated by property tax revenue from newer Milwaukee developments under plans before city officials.
—Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 19 Apr. 2024
After a hectic and successful awards season, Gladstone is back on the press circuit to promote Under the Bridge, which is already generating Emmy buzz for her and costar Riley Keough.
—Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 18 Apr. 2024
That’s not to say there aren’t bumps in the road: Lower-than-expected sales numbers reported this week generated a stock selloff, and ASML is caught in the political crossfire of the semiconductor arms race between the U.S. and China.
—Dylan Sloan, Fortune, 18 Apr. 2024
This article was generated by the Kansas City Star Bot, artificial intelligence software that analyzes structured information from TomTom and applies it to templates created by journalists in the newsroom.
—Kansas City Star Bot, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2024
Congress could override the cancellation but would have to generate enough votes to override a veto, a high bar considering how the two chambers are so evenly divided.
—Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 18 Apr. 2024
Would a Costco boost West Perrine? Instead of the land sitting vacant for another decade, McGhee argued Miami-Dade would be better off accepting the Swerdlow offer and generating taxes with it in private hands while also bringing new retail jobs to the area.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024
Former president Donald Trump’s social media company generated just $4 million in revenue last year — about as much as the average McDonald’s franchise in the United States, according to a report last year by the fast-food industry publication QSR.
—Drew Harwell, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 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.
Dictionary Entries Near generate
Cite this Entry
“Generate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/generate. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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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