offspring

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

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about offspring

Keep scrolling for more

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 Parents at her kids’ school email each other to set up Roblox play days for their offspring. — Carolyn Said, SFChronicle.com, "Roblox phenomenon, born in San Mateo, makes way to Wall Street," 5 Dec. 2020 Land Rover’s image rests on the original 1948 90, a rugged SUV that begat a line of ever more luxurious and profitable offspring. — Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, "2020 Land Rover Defender challenges Wrangler, Bronco with new looks, tech," 27 Nov. 2020 These matriarchs sacrifice their blood, guts and life for their offspring. — Corryn Wetzel, Smithsonian Magazine, "14 Fun Facts About Frightening Animals," 30 Oct. 2020 Fairy tales aren't real, but legal battles over the rights of royal offspring most definitely are. — Aj Willingham, CNN, "5 things to know for October 2: Covid-19, election, economy, police violence, Syria," 2 Oct. 2020 But in 2020, first-generation offspring are often the ones providing a social media presence, photo-worthy menu ideas and restaurant design tips. — Alixel Cabrera, The Salt Lake Tribune, "Family-owned restaurants rely on their first-generation Utah children for social media success," 11 Sep. 2020 The male offspring will survive and carry the genetic modification. — Korin Miller, Health.com, "750 Million Genetically Engineered Mosquitoes Are Being Released in Florida—Here's Why," 20 Aug. 2020 Seeds started from hybrid plants may not breed true — that is, some offspring will be different from the parent. — Jodi Bay, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Garden Mastery: How to save seeds to re-create next season’s vegetables," 17 Aug. 2020 That set him apart from other leaders’ offspring, known as princelings, who in most cases endured less hardship. — Jeremy Page, WSJ, "How the U.S. Misread China’s Xi: Hoping for a Globalist, It Got an Autocrat," 23 Dec. 2020

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.