generator
gb/d͡ʒˈɛnɚˌeɪtɚ/ us/d͡ʒˈɛnɚˌeɪtɚ/
B1
English
~ 5100
áramfejlesztő, generátor, forrás, termelő, kódgenerátor, generátorrendszer
NOUN
B1
1
generátor
B2
Usage pattern:
a generator to power [something]
We used a small generator to keep the lights on during the storm.
Egy kis áramfejlesztőt használtunk, hogy a vihar alatt égve maradjanak a lámpák.
The hospital has an emergency generator in case the main power fails.
A kórháznak van vészhelyzeti áramfejlesztője arra az esetre, ha kiesne a hálózati áramellátás.
Construction crews often rely on a portable generator for electricity at remote sites.
They ran the generator all night to keep the freezers cold.
The campsite offers cabins with their own diesel generator.
Learner examples
The house has a generator for power cuts.
A házban van áramfejlesztő áramszünet esetére.
We started the generator when the lights went off.
Beindítottuk az áramfejlesztőt, amikor kialudtak a lámpák.
The shop uses a big generator to run its machines.
They bought a small generator for their camping trip.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse a 'generator' with a 'battery'. A generator produces electricity from another form of energy (like gasoline or a motor), while a battery stores electricity. Another confusion is between 'generator' and 'engine': an engine makes mechanical power, and a generator turns that mechanical power into electricity.
Meaning
machine that produces electricity
Collocations
backup generator
|portable generator
|diesel generator
|electric generator
|run a generator
|install a generator
Synonyms
alternator (More technical; usually refers to the generator in a vehicle or a specific type of AC generator.)
|
power unit (Broader and less specific; can mean any device supplying power, not only electricity generators.)
Antonyms
power grid (Not a direct logical opposite, but contrasts local, stand-alone power from a generator with electricity supplied from the main grid.)
Themes
technology
|daily life
|energy
|science
|daily_life
Definition
A machine that makes electricity, often used when there is no power from the main electricity lines.
A machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical power, typically used to provide electricity when the main power supply is not available.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
a generator of [something]
Tourism is a major generator of income for the region.
A turizmus a térség egyik fő bevételi forrása.
The new app has been a powerful generator of customer data.
Az új alkalmazás az ügyféladatok jelentős forrásának bizonyult.
He is known as a generator of fresh ideas in the company.
This policy could be an important generator of new jobs.
The campaign was a big generator of online discussion.
Learner examples
The factory is a big generator of jobs.
A gyár sok munkahelyet teremt.
His blog is a generator of new clients for his business.
A blogja sok új ügyfelet hoz a vállalkozásának.
This machine is a generator of heat and noise.
The event was a strong generator of public interest.
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'generator' in this sense only means a machine. In modern English, it is often used for abstract or human sources too, as in 'idea generator' or 'job generator'. The pattern 'a generator of X' is more natural than 'a generator for X' in these abstract uses.
Meaning
person or thing that produces something
Collocations
idea generator
|revenue generator
|job generator
|content generator
|noise generator
|generator of interest
Synonyms
source (More general and less mechanical; often used for natural or abstract origins, not just active producers.)
|
producer (Very close in meaning but more common for physical goods, media, or natural processes.)
Antonyms
consumer (Opposite role in many contexts: a generator produces something, a consumer uses it.)
Themes
business
|general
|technology
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A person or thing that makes or causes something, such as ideas, money, or interest.
A person, device, or process that produces a specific result, product, or effect.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
3
generátor
C1
kódgenerátor
C1
Usage pattern:
[a] generator for [type of output]
We used a static site generator to build the company website.
A cég weboldalának elkészítéséhez statikus webhelygenerátort használtunk.
The code generator produces all the boilerplate classes for us.
A kódgenerátor előállítja helyettünk az összes sablonos osztályt.
This image generator can create realistic photos from text prompts.
A random number generator is used to simulate different scenarios.
The report generator pulls data from several databases each night.
Learner examples
The website uses a static site generator.
A weboldal statikus webhelygenerátorra épül.
Our team wrote a code generator for this project.
A csapatunk kódgenerátort írt ehhez a projekthez.
I used an online password generator to make a strong password.
The program has a report generator for managers.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think a 'generator' in computing always relates to electricity. In technical and programming contexts, it usually means a software tool that produces something automatically, such as code, text, or random numbers. Also, some languages have a specific feature called a 'generator' function; this is a specialized use of the same core idea: something that produces values one by one.
Meaning
software that automatically creates output
Collocations
static site generator
|code generator
|image generator
|template generator
|password generator
|random number generator
Synonyms
tool (Very general; can be any utility, not necessarily one that automatically creates output.)
|
engine (In software, often similar, but can emphasize the core processing part, not just automatic generation.)
Antonyms
editor (Contrasts manual creation (editing by hand) with automatic creation by a generator.)
Themes
technology
|computing
|work
Definition
A computer program or part of a program that makes code, text, images, numbers, or other data by itself when you give it some information.
A software tool, component, or function that automatically produces code, data, content, or other digital output according to given rules or input.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
4
generátor
C2
Usage pattern:
a generator of [a group / module / ideal]
The element g is a generator of the cyclic group G.
A g elem a G ciklikus csoport generátora.
We can choose a smaller set of generators for this module.
Ehhez a modulhoz választhatunk egy kisebb generátorrendszert.
Every finite cyclic group has at least one generator.
They proved that the function acts as a topological generator of the space.
Finding a simple generator of this ideal is not straightforward.
Learner examples
In this example, 1 is a generator of the group of integers under addition.
Ebben a példában az 1 az egész számok összeadás szerinti csoportjának egy generátora.
The teacher showed how one generator can create all elements of the group.
A tanár megmutatta, hogyan állítható elő a csoport összes eleme egyetlen generátorból.
We looked for a new set of generators for the vector space.
A generator of a group can make every element using the group operation.
Common mistake:
Learners may try to apply the everyday meaning of 'generator' too literally here. In mathematics, a generator does not produce physical things; it is an abstract element that, under the given operations, can be used to obtain every element of a structure. Also, 'generator' is different from 'base' or 'basis', which have more specific conditions.
Meaning
element that generates a structure
Collocations
generator of a group
|set of generators
|cyclic generator
|generator of an ideal
|topological generator
|group generator
Synonyms
basis (Related but not identical; a basis is a minimal generating set with extra properties, often in vector spaces.)
Antonyms
identity element (Not a true antonym, but contrasts a neutral element with a generator that produces the whole structure.)
Themes
mathematics
|science
|education
Definition
In higher mathematics, a number or object that can be used, together with some rules, to make every other member of a group or similar structure.
In mathematics, especially algebra, an element or a set of elements from which every element of a given structure can be obtained by applying the allowed operations.
Grammar
Dictionary form
generator
IPA
GB/d͡ʒˈɛnɚˌeɪtɚ/
US/d͡ʒˈɛnɚˌeɪtɚ/
Syllables & stress
gen - er - at - or (4 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (gen)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: generator
- Plural: generators
Word family
Forms
generators
noun
Core family
generate
verb A1
generation
noun B1
Related words
generative
adjective C1
generational
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
regenerate
verb
regeneration
noun B2
Expressions
code generator
1/kˈoʊd d͡ʒˈɛnɚˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
tool that automatically writes code
A computer program that writes parts of the source code for you.
Examples
- The framework includes a code generator for common modules.
- Using a code generator saves time on repetitive tasks.
- They built a custom code generator for their API layer.
diesel generator
1/dˈizəl d͡ʒˈɛnɚˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
generator driven by diesel engine
A generator that uses a diesel engine to make electricity.
Examples
- The factory runs a large diesel generator during peak hours.
- They installed a diesel generator as a reliable backup power source.
- Noise from the diesel generator could be heard across the village.
electric generator
1/ɪlˈɛktɹɪk d͡ʒˈɛnɚˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
device converting motion to electricity
A machine that changes movement or mechanical power into electricity.
Examples
- The wind turbine drives an electric generator at its base.
- An electric generator transforms the engine's rotation into electrical power.
- Large electric generators are used in power plants.
emergency generator
1/ɪmˈɚd͡ʒənsi d͡ʒˈɛnɚˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
generator used in emergencies
A generator that gives electricity only during emergencies, such as fires or big power cuts.
Examples
- The emergency generator kept the operating room lights on.
- All high-rise buildings must have an emergency generator by law.
- When the storm hit, the emergency generator came online.
portable generator
1/pˈɔɹtəbəl d͡ʒˈɛnɚˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
movable generator for temporary power
A small generator that you can move easily and use in many places.
Examples
- They brought a portable generator to power the music at the outdoor party.
- Campers often carry a portable generator for lights and cooking.
- The crew used a portable generator at the remote filming location.
random number generator
1/ɹˈændəm nˈʌmbɚ d͡ʒˈɛnɚˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
tool that produces unpredictable numbers
A program or device that makes numbers that no one can guess in advance.
Examples
- The lottery uses a random number generator to pick the winning numbers.
- In simulations, a random number generator is used to model uncertainty.
- Most programming languages include a built-in random number generator.
revenue generator
1/ɹˈɛvənjˌu d͡ʒˈɛnɚˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
activity or product that earns money
Something in a company, like a product or service, that brings in money.
Examples
- The new subscription service has become a major revenue generator.
- Tourism is an important revenue generator for the city.
- They need a stronger revenue generator to support their free app.
static site generator
1/stˈætɪk sˈaɪt d͡ʒˈɛnɚˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
tool that builds static websites
A program that takes text and templates and makes simple, fast web pages that do not change on the server.
Examples
- They rebuilt their blog using a static site generator.
- A static site generator can make your website faster and more secure.
- Developers often choose a static site generator for documentation sites.
steam generator
1/stˈim d͡ʒˈɛnɚˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
device that produces steam
A machine that heats water to make steam.
Examples
- The power plant uses a steam generator connected to a turbine.
- A small steam generator supplies heat for the building.
- Engineers inspected the steam generator for leaks.
backup generator
3/bˈækˌʌp d͡ʒˈɛnɚˌeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
Spare power generator for outages
A machine that makes electricity when the main power stops working.
Examples
- The hospital uses a backup generator during blackouts.
- The hospital's backup generator started automatically during the blackout.
- We installed a backup generator for emergencies.
- We installed a backup generator to protect the servers from power cuts.
- The school relies on a backup generator in the rainy season.