1 VERB To generate something means to cause it to begin and develop. □ [V n] The Employment Minister said the reforms would generate new jobs. □ [V -ed] …the passion and emotion generated by football.
2 VERB To generate a form of energy or power means to produce it. □ [V n] The estate uses solar panels and wind turbines to generate power. SYNONYMS generate VERB 1
create: We set business free to create more jobs in Britain.
produce: The drug is known to produce side-effects in women.
cause: Any attempts are likely to cause problems.
bring about: So how do we bring about political change?
give rise to: This can give rise to high blood-pressure.
gen|era|tion ◆◆◇ /dʒe nəre I ʃ ə n/ (generations )
1 N‑COUNT A generation is all the people in a group or country who are of a similar age, especially when they are considered as having the same experiences or attitudes. □ [+ of ] …the younger generation of Party members. □ He has long been considered the leading American playwright of his generation.
2 N‑COUNT A generation is the period of time, usually considered to be about thirty years, that it takes for children to grow up and become adults and have children of their own. □ Within a generation flight has become the method used by many travellers.
3 N‑COUNT You can use generation to refer to a stage of development in the design and manufacture of machines or equipment. □ [+ of ] …a new generation of IBM/Apple computers.
4 ADJ Generation is used to indicate how long members of your family have had a particular nationality. For example, second generation means that you were born in the country you live in, but your parents were not. □ …a second-generation 'immigrant' of Italian and Irish descent.
5 N‑UNCOUNT Generation is the production of a form of energy or power from fuel or another source of power such as water. □ Japan has announced plans for a sharp rise in its nuclear power generation. COLLOCATIONS generation NOUN 1
adjective + generation : current, future, next, previous; older, younger, unborn; whole
verb + generation : educate, influence, inspire SYNONYMS generation NOUN 1
age group: …a style that would appeal to all age groups.
peer group: …peer group pressure.
gen|era|tion|al /dʒe nəre I ʃənəl/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Generational means relating to a particular generation, or to the relationship between particular generations. □ People's lifestyles are usually fixed by generational habits and fashions.
ge n|era |tion gap (generation gaps ) N‑COUNT If you refer to the generation gap , you are referring to a difference in attitude and behaviour between older people and younger people, which may cause them to argue or may prevent them from understanding each other fully.
gen|era|tive /dʒe nərət I v/
1 ADJ If something is generative , it is capable of producing something or causing it to develop. [FORMAL ] □ …the generative power of the sun.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] In linguistics, generative is used to describe linguistic theories or models which are based on the idea that a single set of rules can explain how all the possible sentences of a language are formed. [TECHNICAL ]
gen|era|tor /dʒe nəre I tə r / (generators )
1 N‑COUNT A generator is a machine which produces electricity.
2 N‑COUNT A generator of something is a person, organization, product, or situation which produces it or causes it to happen. □ [+ of ] The U.S. economy is still an impressive generator of new jobs. □ The company has been a very good cash generator.
ge|ner|ic /dʒ I ne r I k/ (generics )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use generic to describe something that refers or relates to a whole class of similar things. □ Parmesan is a generic term used to describe a family of hard Italian cheeses. ● ge|neri|cal|ly ADV [usu ADV after v, ADV -ed/adj] □ I will refer to child abuse generically (which includes physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and neglect). □ …something generically called 'rock 'n' roll'.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A generic drug or other product is one that does not have a trademark and that is known by a general name, rather than the manufacturer's name. □ They encourage doctors to prescribe cheaper generic drugs. ● N‑COUNT Generic is also a noun. □ Brand names only are given, as generics are not usually prescribed.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] People sometimes use generic to refer to something that is exactly typical of the kind of thing mentioned, and that has no special or unusual characteristics. □ …generic California apartments, the kind that have white walls and white drapes and were built five years ago.
gen|er|os|ity /dʒe nərɒ s I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT If you refer to someone's generosity , you mean that they are generous, especially in doing or giving more than is usual or expected. □ There are stories about his generosity, the massive amounts of money he gave to charities. □ …a man of great generosity of spirit.
gen|er|ous ◆◇◇ /dʒe nərəs/
1 ADJ A generous person gives more of something, especially money, than is usual or expected. □ [+ in ] German banks are more generous in their lending. □ The gift is generous by any standards. ● gen|er|ous|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ We would like to thank all the judges who gave so generously of their time.
2 ADJ A generous person is friendly, helpful, and willing to see the good qualities in someone or something. □ [+ in ] He was always generous in sharing his enormous knowledge. □ He was generous enough to congratulate his successor on his decision. ● gen|er|ous|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The students generously gave them instruction in social responsibility.