procreate

verb

pro·​cre·​ate ˈprō-krē-ˌāt How to pronounce procreate (audio)
procreated; procreating

transitive verb

: to beget or bring forth (offspring) : propagate

intransitive verb

: to beget or bring forth offspring : reproduce
procreation noun
procreative adjective
procreator noun

Examples of procreate in a Sentence

Animals have a natural instinct to procreate. the common perception that our Puritan forebears procreated more out of a sense of duty than from desire
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.
Alito questioned that assertion, pointing to when many medical professionals once believed people with low intelligence shouldn’t be permitted to procreate. Zach Schonfeld, The Hill, 7 Oct. 2025 Mass media, especially the newly widespread radio, is pushing young Americans to marry and procreate. Jack Denton, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025 With lilting cadences, the king shares the origin myth of his Nkangala people, that a small elephant shed its skin while bathing in the river and a woman emerged, who married and procreated with his ancestors. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025 The rush to be in a relationship, the rush to be married, the rush to be in something because that’s what you’re taught to do, to have kids or procreate. Essence, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for procreate

Word History

Etymology

Latin procreatus, past participle of procreare, from pro- forth + creare to create — more at pro-, create

First Known Use

circa 1525, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of procreate was circa 1525

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Procreate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/procreate. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

procreate

verb
pro·​cre·​ate ˈprō-krē-ˌāt How to pronounce procreate (audio)
procreated; procreating
: to bring forth offspring : reproduce

Medical Definition

procreate

verb
pro·​cre·​ate ˈprō-krē-ˌāt How to pronounce procreate (audio)
procreated; procreating

transitive verb

: to beget or bring forth (offspring) : propagate

intransitive verb

: to beget or bring forth offspring : reproduce

More from Merriam-Webster on procreate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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