beget

verb

be·​get bi-ˈget How to pronounce beget (audio)
bē-
begot bi-ˈgät How to pronounce beget (audio)
bē-
also begat bi-ˈgat How to pronounce beget (audio)
bē-
; begotten bi-ˈgä-tᵊn How to pronounce beget (audio)
bē-
or begot; begetting

transitive verb

1
: to procreate as the father : sire
He died without begetting an heir.
2
: to produce especially as an effect or outgrowth
Violence only begets more violence.
begetter noun

Example Sentences

He died without begetting an heir. one change in the natural environment will beget others
Recent Examples on the Web Sure, the film it was based on did well at the box office, grossing about $113 million in the US, but a hit film doesn’t always beget a hit game. WIRED, 6 Oct. 2022 This most recent Congress has done other important things that show that the federal government can do good – and perhaps that provides hope for the future, as success can beget more action. Vicki Shabo, CNN, 23 Dec. 2022 Some grumble that all of these developments will inevitably beget gentrification. Lindsey Tramuta, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2022 Get-tough measures on part of police and prosecutors have done nothing to reduce the demand for narcotics, and demand will always beget supply. Seth Harp, Rolling Stone, 4 Sep. 2022 House of the Dragon seems keen to emphasize that Viserys is a good man but a wavering ruler, and his indecision will beget its own horrors. Lauren Puckett-pope, ELLE, 4 Sep. 2022 Surely, data would beget a solution; surely, the frogs’ declines would now be reversed. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 1 Nov. 2022 In the play’s conclusion, the love and fierceness in that remark ultimately beget a hugely affecting catharsis. Celia Wren, Washington Post, 22 Sep. 2022 Designed to be hands-free and weight-balanced—no shoulder aches or strap slippage here—crossbody bags are the perfect on-to-go accessory, but their functionality need not beget boredom. Lauren Puckett-pope, ELLE, 1 Sep. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'beget.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English begeten, beyeten, going back to Old English begietan "to get, beget," from be- be- + gietan "to get entry 1"

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of beget was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near beget

Cite this Entry

“Beget.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beget. Accessed 22 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

beget

verb
be·​get bi-ˈget How to pronounce beget (audio)
begot -ˈgät How to pronounce beget (audio) also begat -ˈgat How to pronounce beget (audio) ; begotten -ˈgät-ᵊn How to pronounce beget (audio) or begot; begetting
1
: to become the father of
2
begetter noun

More from Merriam-Webster on beget

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