beget

verb

be·​get bi-ˈget 

bē-

begot bi-ˈgät 

bē-

also begat bi-ˈgat 

bē-

; begotten bi-ˈgä-tᵊn 

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

Synonyms

• create
• cause
• generate
• bring
• produce
• prompt
• do
• spawn

Examples of beget in a Sentence

He died without begetting an heir.

one change in the natural environment will beget others

Recent Examples on the Web

Another thing that has stayed the same, much to fans’ emotional detriment, is Wiegman’s preference to make substitutions as late as feasibly possible, yet all the while begetting the same inexpressible result. —Megan Feringa, New York Times, 27 July 2025

In the effort to avenge its fallen compatriots, Iran executed two ballistic missile strikes on Israel in 2024 — both of which begat retaliation against Iranian air defenses. —The Editors, National Review, 24 June 2025

When audiences come to her stand-up shows, well, that’s what she’s always wanted, and the work is begetting fans who want to see more work. —Anna Peele, Rolling Stone, 10 July 2025

Over time, such selectivity begets judicial overreach and erodes public trust in the impartiality of judicial decisionmaking. —Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025

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

Rhymes for beget

• abet
• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beset
• brevet
• briquette
• brunet
• brunette
• burette
• cadet

Kids Definition

beget

verb

be·​get bi-ˈget 

begot -ˈgät  also begat -ˈgat  ; begotten -ˈgät-ᵊn  or begot; begetting

1

: to become the father of

2

: cause entry 2

begetter noun