generalization — English Dictionary

Noun

1. An act or instance of generalizing; concluding that something true of a subclass is true of the entire class.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

2. The formulation of general concepts from specific instances by abstracting common properties.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   universalization

   Antonyms

   specialization

3. Inductive reasoning from detailed facts to general principles.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

4. An oversimplified or exaggerated conception, opinion, or image of the members of a group.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

5. A proof, axiom, problem, or definition that includes another's cases, and also some additional cases; a conclusion reached by inferring from specific cases to more general cases or principles.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   A hypersphere is a generalization of a sphere across more than three dimensions.

Noun

1. reasoning from detailed facts to general principles

   Synonyms

   generalisationinductioninductive reasoning

   Broader terms

   colligation

2. an idea or conclusion having general application

   Synonyms

   generalisationgenerality

   Broader terms

   ideathought

   Examples

   he spoke in broad generalities

3. the process of formulating general concepts by abstracting common properties of instances

   Synonyms

   abstractiongeneralisation

   Broader terms

   theorizationtheorisation

4. (psychology) transfer of a response learned to one stimulus to a similar stimulus

   Synonyms

   generalisationstimulus generalizationstimulus generalisation

   Broader terms

   transfertransfer of trainingcarry-over