offspring

noun

off·​spring ˈȯf-ˌspriŋ 

plural offspring also offsprings

1

a

: the product of the reproductive processes of a person, animal, or plant : young, progeny

The disease can be transmitted from parent to offspring.

b

: the immediate descendant of a person or animal : an individual born of a parent

gave birth to a single offspring

"… He was becoming irascible as well, impatient—with me especially, because I was his only offspring [=child]. …"

—Anthony Hopkins

2

a

: product, result

… scholarly manuscripts—the labored offsprings of PhDs …

—Donna Martin

… the substitution of the typewriter and its offspring for the author's own hand.

—Jacques Barzun

b

: offshoot sense 1a

… you can hear this Caribbean club music, a hard-edged and party-heavy offspring of reggae …

—Lorraine Ali

Synonyms

• fruit
• get
• issue
• posterity
• progeny
• seed
• spawn

Examples of offspring in a Sentence

The show is about two couples and the adventures of their rebellious offspring.

The colt is the offspring of two racing champions.

Recent Examples on the Web

That sets the stage for a watershed legal battle between the U.S. government and the offspring of a $240 billion startup that’s come to define China’s growing technological muscle. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2024

Apparently, all of his offspring are already deserving of their roles, which include Frederic Arnault helming LVMH’s entire watch division, and Alexandre Arnault holding the president of Rimowa. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 22 Apr. 2024

To younger audiences, Matilda will read as the offspring of Harry Potter and the MCU. —Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 16 Apr. 2024

Kal has signed with DT Model Management in Los Angeles, the same agency that has represented an impressive roster of fellow celebrity offspring like Dylan Penn, Ireland Baldwin and Paris Hilton. —Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 16 Apr. 2024

But on the flip side, some suggest the hybrid offspring might be more equipped to live in a world altered by climate change. —Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2024

His wife Margaret was the offspring of a viticulturist, John Adlum, whose vineyard on the banks of Rock Creek drew admirers like Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. —Robert Draper, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024

The offspring will be separated to allow for observation by aquarium staff. —Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024

In other words, black holes are supposed to be the offspring of supermassive stars, not the other way around. —Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 8 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ofspring, from Old English, from of off + springan to spring

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

offspring

noun

off·​spring ˈȯf-ˌspriŋ 

plural offspring also offsprings

: the young of a person, animal, or plant

Medical Definition

offspring

noun

off·​spring ˈȯf-ˌspriŋ 

plural offspring also offsprings

: the progeny of an animal or plant : young