Engineering English
Generator
Electrical Engineering · Aerospace Engineering · Last updated: July 30, 2026 · How this entry was written
Definition: A rotating machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy by moving conductors through a magnetic field. It supplies current to an external electrical network or load.
Example in context
“During the grid outage the standby generator started automatically and carried the hospital's critical loads within fifteen seconds.”
“Şebeke kesintisi sırasında yedek jeneratör otomatik olarak devreye girdi ve hastanenin kritik yüklerini on beş saniye içinde üstlendi.”
Where engineers use it
The term appears in power plant operation, standby and emergency supply design, and marine or mobile installations. Engineers size the unit, plan fuel and cooling, and set protection so it can accept load safely.
Synonyms: Dynamo
Antonyms: Motor
In Aerospace Engineering
A generator converts mechanical energy from the engine into electrical power for aircraft systems. It supplies AC or DC power to the electrical bus.
“The backup generator automatically engaged when the primary generator failed during the flight.”
Practice: can you use “Generator” at work?
A student is shown a diesel set feeding a site during a blackout and must explain how the generator converts energy, name its main parts, and compare it with a motor.
Show a model answer
“A generator turns mechanical shaft power into usable electrical power.”
“Generator” in 21 languages
| English | Generator |
|---|---|
| Turkish | Jeneratör |
| French | Générateur |
| German | Generator |
| Spanish | Generador |
| Chinese | 发电机 |
| Arabic | مولد كهربائي |
| Portuguese | Gerador |
| Russian | Генератор |
| Japanese | 発電機 |
| Italian | Generatore |
| Vietnamese | Máy phát điện |
| Hindi | जनरेटर |
| Thai | เครื่องกำเนิดไฟฟ้า |
| Indonesian | Generator |
| Korean | 발전기 |
| Bengali | জেনারেটর |
| Dutch | Generator |
| Swedish | Generator |
| Finnish | Generaattori |
| Ukrainian | Генератор |
Frequently asked questions
What does Generator mean in engineering?
A rotating machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy by moving conductors through a magnetic field. It supplies current to an external electrical network or load. In Electrical Engineering, the term carries a usage-frequency rating of 10/10 in the Engineering English library.
How do you pronounce Generator?
Generator is pronounced /ˈdʒɛnəreɪtər/ (IPA). The Engineering English app plays audio for the term and checks your pronunciation with speech recognition.
How is Generator used in a sentence?
Example from an engineering context: “During the grid outage the standby generator started automatically and carried the hospital's critical loads within fifteen seconds.”
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