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

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

How to deal with it – whether with your offspring or with your employees – does not have an easy solution. — Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Is this happiness thing overrated?," 16 Sep. 2019 Female orangutans usually communicate with their offspring through silent gestures to avoid attracting predators. — Kelly Mayes, Science | AAAS, "These orangutan moms scratch to get their kid’s attention," 16 July 2019 Wildlife officers warn residents, and the public, not to approach wildlife, especially females with offspring. — Kieran Nicholson, The Denver Post, "Doe put down after attacking, seriously injuring 85-year-old woman in northwest Colorado," 12 June 2019 But the rest of the familiar ghoulish gang is here: Gomez and Morticia, Uncle Fester, Grandmama, offspring Wednesday and Pugsley, and of course, Lurch the gigantic butler. — David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Review: Gifted cast makes ‘The Addams Family’ a treat at Welk Resort Theatre," 7 Sep. 2019 His female offspring, Binti, had to be euthanized in June. — USA TODAY, "Cat burglar, prison bats, USS Arizona Memorial: News from around our 50 states," 4 Sep. 2019 Players will need to constantly churn out offspring and push for evolutionary leaps to advance the campaign. — Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, "Review: ‘Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey’ brings a different past to life," 30 Aug. 2019 No longer an only child with ample urban comforts, she must get used to a hardscrabble life in the Abruzzo countryside, with taciturn parents who beat their offspring and cruel brothers who torment her. — The Economist, "The story of a lost girl," 29 June 2019 Growth rings on the bones show the animals’ ages ranged from 2 to 24 years old — possibly parents and offspring. — Eric Betz, Discover Magazine, "Tyrannosaurus Rex: Scary. Smart. Social?," 12 Apr. 2019

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.