generalization

noun

gen·​er·​al·​i·​za·​tion ˌjen-rə-lə-ˈzā-shən  ˌje-nə- 

1

: the act or process of generalizing

2

: a general statement, law, principle, or proposition

made broad generalizations about women

3

: the act or process whereby a learned response is made to a stimulus similar to but not identical with the conditioned stimulus

Synonyms

• concept
• conception
• generality
• notion
• stereotype

Examples of generalization in a Sentence

He made several sweeping generalizations about women.

She was prone to generalization.

Recent Examples on the Web

Furthermore, patients were all Asian and selected from a single health center, reducing any generalization of results to other populations. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 5 Feb. 2025

On Sunday, Noem doubled down on false generalizations that Venezuelan TPS holders are in large part criminals from the notorious gang known as Tren de Aragua, or TDA. —Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 2 Feb. 2025

But the overall picture resists simple generalizations. —Aatish Bhatia, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2025

Solution: Data augmentation, a technique that expands training datasets by creating variations or synthetic examples, and collaborative data sharing, which involves pooling anonymized and aggregated data, enhances model generalization by increasing data diversity and richness. —Balaji Dhamodharan, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

generalize + -ation

First Known Use

1761, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

generalization

noun

gen·​er·​al·​i·​za·​tion ˌjen-(ə-)rə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

1

: the act or process of generalizing

2

: a general statement, law, principle, or proposition

Medical Definition

generalization

noun

gen·​er·​al·​iza·​tion

variants or British generalisation

ˌjen-(ə-)rə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

1

: the action or process of becoming widespread or diffuse

secondary generalization of a partial seizure

2

: the act or process whereby a learned response is made to a stimulus similar to but not identical with the conditioned stimulus