generator
generator — noun
1. a machine that creates electricity by using fuel, moving water, or wind to turn
a machine that creates electricity by using fuel, moving water, or wind to turn a part inside it, so that homes and buildings can have power.
The hospital keeps a diesel generator in the basement for emergency power cuts.
collocation: diesel generator / backup generator
When the storm knocked out the power lines, the Okonkwo family used a small generator to keep the refrigerator running.
Wind turbines act as generators, turning the energy from moving air into electricity for thousands of homes.
Priya checked the fuel level in the portable generator before the camping trip.
- power generator
a fuller, sometimes more formal term for the same machine
- dynamo
older term, usually refers to a generator that produces direct current; less common in modern everyday speech
- alternator
a specific type of generator found in vehicles that produces alternating current
文法句型
adjective + generator
generator + for + noun phrase
用法筆記
Frequently used with an adjective that names the power source — diesel generator, gas generator, wind generator, backup generator, portable generator.
常見錯誤
2. a piece of equipment designed to produce a specific substance, gas, vapor, or el
a piece of equipment designed to produce a specific substance, gas, vapor, or electronic signal through a controlled process.
The laboratory uses a steam generator to keep the temperature of the experiment steady.
collocation: steam generator
A signal generator sends out radio waves at a set frequency to test the equipment.
signal generator for testing electronics
The backup oxygen generator in the aircraft can supply breathable air for thirty minutes.
A nitrogen generator at the packaging plant produces gas that keeps food fresh for months.
文法句型
[substance/signal] + generator
用法筆記
The output substance or signal is almost always named just before 'generator' — steam generator, signal generator, oxygen generator, gas generator. Without a specifying word, a reader will default to sense 1 (electricity).
常見錯誤
3. a business entity that produces and sells something, most often electricity, to
a business entity that produces and sells something, most often electricity, to homes or other companies.
The regional generator supplies electricity to over two million homes across the valley.
generator as a company, not a machine
Local generators are required to meet strict emissions standards under the new environmental law.
The city council signed a five-year contract with a private generator to power the new train line.
The national generator plans to build three new wind farms along the coast next year.
- producer
more general term for any company that manufactures or supplies something
- supplier
focuses on the distribution side; a generator both produces and supplies
- power company
a more everyday term for an electricity generator that serves the public
文法句型
[adjective/region] + generator + verb (supplies/provides/produces)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: in this sense, generator refers to the business entity, not the physical machine. Context words like contract, supplier, customer, the grid, or regional signal this meaning.
常見錯誤
4. a person who creates or develops something such as ideas, content, energy, or po
a person who creates or develops something such as ideas, content, energy, or positive change in a group or situation.
Aiko is a prolific idea generator who comes up with fresh concepts for marketing campaigns every week.
collocation: idea generator
The website hired several content generators to keep the blog and social media pages active.
Ravi is known as a generator of positive energy in the office; his enthusiasm lifts everyone around him.
The festival committee praised Nadia as the main generator of new ideas for this year's events.
- creator
a more general term for someone who makes something, without the mechanical metaphor of 'generator'
- producer
often used for someone who creates content or goods professionally
- originator
emphasizes being the first to start an idea or movement
文法句型
generator of [ideas/content/energy]
用法筆記
Typically followed by 'of' plus a noun that names what the person creates (generator of ideas, generator of change, generator of good feeling). The term is positive and highlights someone's productive impact rather than their formal job title.