offspring

noun

off·​spring ˈȯf-ˌspriŋ How to pronounce offspring (audio)
plural offspring also offsprings
1
a
: the product of the reproductive processes of a person, animal, or plant : young, progeny
The disease can be transmitted from parent to offspring.
b
: the immediate descendant of a person or animal : an individual born of a parent
gave birth to a single offspring
"… He was becoming irascible as well, impatient—with me especially, because I was his only offspring [=child]. …"Anthony Hopkins
2
a
: 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
… you can hear this Caribbean club music, a hard-edged and party-heavy offspring of reggae …Lorraine Ali

Examples of offspring in a Sentence

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Of course, the South Park version of Vance (with the help of tech billionaire Peter Thiel) is still trying to rid Satan of the president's offspring. Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 13 Nov. 2025 The researchers conducted an umbrella review – a high-level evidence summary – of existing reviews to assess their validity concerning acetaminophen and the development of autism or ADHD in offspring. New Atlas, 9 Nov. 2025 Back then, however, no one knew what physical substance or mechanism was actually responsible for traits being passed from a parent on to offspring, despite the pioneering genetics work of Gregor Mendel and his pea plants in the 19th century. Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 7 Nov. 2025 Many famous parents have followed suit to protect the faces of their unfamous offspring. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for offspring

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ofspring, from Old English, from of off + springan to spring

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of offspring was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Offspring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/offspring. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

offspring

noun
off·​spring ˈȯf-ˌspriŋ How to pronounce offspring (audio)
plural offspring also offsprings
: the young of a person, animal, or plant

Medical Definition

offspring

noun
off·​spring ˈȯf-ˌspriŋ How to pronounce offspring (audio)
plural offspring also offsprings
: the progeny of an animal or plant : young

More from Merriam-Webster on offspring

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