productive
adjective
pro·duc·tive
prə-ˈdək-tiv 
prō-
1
: having the quality or power of producing especially in abundance
productive fishing waters
2
: effective in bringing about
investigating committees have been productive of much good—
R. K. Carr
R. K. Carr3
a
: yielding results, benefits, or profits
b
: yielding or devoted to the satisfaction of wants or the creation of utilities
4
: continuing to be used in the formation of new words or constructions
un- is a productive prefix
5
: raising mucus or sputum (as from the bronchi)
a productive cough
productively
adverb
productiveness
noun
Examples of productive in a Sentence
I had a very productive day.
I am most productive in the morning.
Some staff members are more productive than others.
Recent Examples on the Web
That leads to a more productive workforce, more successful companies, and a thriving economy.
—Phil Blair, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2024
Tahj Washington is small but was really productive at the college level….
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2024
Those with decades of experience under their belts are often best positioned to help manage and oversee the important human element to ensuring harmonious and productive teams.
—Martha Boudreau, Fortune, 26 Apr. 2024
Hosted by Jane Pauley COVER STORY: Take it easy – The importance of being lazy
Social pressures to be productive – not to mention a culture that prizes multitasking – make doing nothing hard to do, for fear of being accused of the dreaded sin of laziness.
—David Morgan, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2024
In the former case, roost hunts can be a little more productive; in the latter, midday hunts are apt to be better.
—Scott Bestul, Field & Stream, 24 Apr. 2024
In the years leading up to their breakup, however, the couple had become less productive.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Apr. 2024
Schedule idle time Instead of always trying to be productive, having the music on, scanning your phone for news and notifications, and engaging with someone or something, make time to allow your mind to daydream, to be in an unfocused space.
—Emma Seppälä, TIME, 23 Apr. 2024
Plant breeders succeeded in making those big crops more productive, more profitable to grow and also more plentiful and cheaper for consumers.
—Dan Charles, NPR, 18 Apr. 2024
Phil Blair, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2024
Tahj Washington is small but was really productive at the college level….
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2024
Those with decades of experience under their belts are often best positioned to help manage and oversee the important human element to ensuring harmonious and productive teams.
—Martha Boudreau, Fortune, 26 Apr. 2024
Hosted by Jane Pauley COVER STORY: Take it easy – The importance of being lazy
Social pressures to be productive – not to mention a culture that prizes multitasking – make doing nothing hard to do, for fear of being accused of the dreaded sin of laziness.
—David Morgan, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2024
In the former case, roost hunts can be a little more productive; in the latter, midday hunts are apt to be better.
—Scott Bestul, Field & Stream, 24 Apr. 2024
In the years leading up to their breakup, however, the couple had become less productive.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Apr. 2024
Schedule idle time Instead of always trying to be productive, having the music on, scanning your phone for news and notifications, and engaging with someone or something, make time to allow your mind to daydream, to be in an unfocused space.
—Emma Seppälä, TIME, 23 Apr. 2024
Plant breeders succeeded in making those big crops more productive, more profitable to grow and also more plentiful and cheaper for consumers.
—Dan Charles, NPR, 18 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'productive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near productive
Cite this Entry
“Productive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/productive. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
productive
adjective
pro·duc·tive
prə-ˈdək-tiv
1
: having the power to produce plentifully
productive soil
productive fishing waters
2
: producing something
efforts productive of much good
3
: giving results
a productive meeting
productively
adverb
productiveness
noun
Medical Definition
productive
adjective
pro·duc·tive
prə-ˈdək-tiv, prō-
: raising mucus or sputum (as from the bronchi)
a productive cough
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