offspring

noun

off·spring | \ˈȯf-ˌspriŋ

plural offspring also offsprings

Definition of offspring

1a : the product of the reproductive processes of an animal or plant : young, progeny The disease can be transmitted from parent to offspring.

b : child a mother of numerous offspring

2a : 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

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Examples of offspring in a Sentence

The disease can be transmitted from parent to offspring. 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

Female deer will leave their offspring in grassy or brushy areas and return several times a day to feed them. — Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Wisconsin man encounters rare white deer fawn on Sauk County morel mushroom hunt," 15 May 2018 France and Ireland used to stand out as the two European countries in which women had, on average, close to the 2.1 offspring needed to hit the population replacement rate. — The Economist, "Bébé delayFrance’s high fertility rate has begun to slide," 17 Feb. 2018 And please stop comparing them to the offspring of your friends and acquaintances. — Jeanne Phillips, San Francisco Chronicle, "Dear Abby: Mother laments that her kids lack accomplishment and drive," 9 Jan. 2018 And please stop comparing them to the offspring of your friends and acquaintances. — Abby, Houston Chronicle, "Mother laments that her kids lack accomplishment and drive," 8 Jan. 2018 Dwayne Johnson's daughter will serve as this year's Golden Globe Ambassador Every year, the HFPA gives the special role to the offspring of a Hollywood star. — Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY, "2018 Golden Globes: How to watch and what you need to know," 5 Jan. 2018 Baker noted that sandhill cranes have less than one chick per year, compared to Canada geese that can have up to 12 offspring a year. — Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press, "Feds: If Michigan asks us for sandhill crane hunt, we'll grant it," 1 Jan. 2018 The degree requirement could improve diversity in other ways, by encouraging ethnic-minority parents to view policing as a suitable career for bright offspring. — The Economist, "How the career of the British bobby is changing," 24 May 2018 One is from startup Zenomics, the offspring of a cooperative research effort between the University of North Carolina and NC State. — Mike Feibus, USA TODAY, "Afraid of needles? These start-ups are working on alternatives," 8 July 2018

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