/jen"euh ray'teuhr/ , n.
1. a machine that converts one form of energy into another, esp. mechanical energy into electrical energy, as a dynamo, or electrical energy into sound, as an acoustic generator.
2. a person or thing that generates.
3. Chem. an apparatus for producing a gas or vapor.
4. Math.
a. an element or one of a set of elements from which a specified mathematical object can be formed by applying certain operations.
b. an element, as a line, that generates a figure.
5. Computers. a program that produces a particular type of output on demand, as random numbers, an application program, or a report.
[ 1640-50; generator producer, equiv. to genera ( re ) (see GENERATE) + -tor -TOR ]