generalization Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun reasoning from detailed facts to general principles
    generalisation; induction; inductive reasoning.
  2. noun an idea or conclusion having general application
    generalisation; generality.
    • he spoke in broad generalities
  3. noun the process of formulating general concepts by abstracting common properties of instances
    generalisation; abstraction.
  4. noun (psychology) transfer of a response learned to one stimulus to a similar stimulus
    generalisation; stimulus generalisation; stimulus generalization.

WordNet

Gen`er*al*i*za"tion noun
Etymology
Cf. F. généralisation.
Definitions
  1. The act or process of generalizing; the act of bringing individuals or particulars under a genus or class; deduction of a general principle from particulars.
    Generalization is only the apprehension of the one in the many. Sir W. Hamilton.
  2. A general inference.

Webster 1913