reproduce

verb re·pro·duce \ ˌrē-prə-ˈdüs , -ˈdyüs \

Updated on: 20 May 2018

Definition of reproduce

transitive verb

: to produce again: such as

a : to produce (new individuals of the same kind) by a sexual or asexual process

b : to cause to exist again or anew

reproduce water from steam

c : to imitate closely

sound-effects can reproduce the sound of thunder

d : to present again

e : to make a representation (such as an image or copy) of

reproduce a face on canvas

f : to revive mentally : recall

g : to translate (a recording) into sound

intransitive verb

1 : to undergo reproduction

2 : to produce offspring

—

reproducer

noun

—

reproducibility

play \ˌrē-prə-ˌdü-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē, -ˌdyü-\ noun

—

reproducible

play \ˌrē-prə-ˈdü-sə-bəl, -ˈdyü-\ adjective or noun

—

reproducibly

play \ˌrē-prə-ˈdü-sə-blē\ adverb

See reproduce defined for English-language learners

See reproduce defined for kids

Examples of reproduce in a Sentence

The concert will be reproduced on compact disc.
Sound effects can reproduce the sound of thunder.
They haven't been able to reproduce the results of the first experiment.
Salmon return to the stream to reproduce offspring.
The virus is able to reproduce itself very rapidly.

Recent Examples of reproduce from the Web

The fake licenses contained convincing-looking holograms that are difficult to reproduce.

— jennifer sinco kelleher, Fox News, "Mental fitness hearing set for man who fled Hawaii hospital," 26 Apr. 2018
The dogs usually don't live past the age of 2, unless they are used to reproduce.

— evan frank, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Town of Ottawa family adopts dog from Korean dog meat farm," 9 Apr. 2018
After nearly a year of continued criticisms, and failures to reproduce the results, the authors conceded that the skeptics might be right.

— megan molteni, WIRED, "A Flawed Study Shows How Little We Understand Crispr's Effects," 2 Apr. 2018
Since 2011, Nuka had been paired with Talini, another 13-year-old polar bear, but the duo was unable to successfully reproduce.

— Detroit Free Press, "Suka, meet Nuka. Detroit Zoo plays matchmaker for polar bears," 5 Mar. 2018
This family loves to reproduce! — went to a doctor's appointment in Beverly Hills, California, on Friday, Feb 23, and the paps were waiting to snap some shots.

— laura beck, Cosmopolitan, "Kylie Jenner Makes Rare Public Appearance After Giving Birth," 24 Feb. 2018
Traditionally, milkweed—the plants monarchs need to reproduce and survive as a species (not butterfly bush)—would rebound after farmers used cultivation to kill weeds, but chemical interventions wipe the plant out.

— leah zerbe, Good Housekeeping, "How Much Toxic Roundup Are You Eating?," 13 Mar. 2017
All materials herein are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of CQ-Roll Call.

— Fox News, "Trump slams 'disgraceful' leak of Mueller questions," 2 May 2018
The original commercially-available tree, the Bradford, was sterile, unable to reproduce when they were planted en masse in America.

— carrie blackmore smith, Cincinnati.com, "Ornamental pear trees are beautiful but they've got a dark side. Is an effort to contain them working?," 25 Apr. 2018

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

First Known Use of reproduce

circa 1611

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

See Words from the same year

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reproduce Synonyms

REPRODUCE Defined for English Language Learners

reproduce

verb

Definition of reproduce for English Language Learners

: to make a copy of (something)
: to produce something that is the same as or very similar to (something else)
: to cause (something) to happen again in the same way

REPRODUCE Defined for Kids

reproduce

verb re·pro·duce \ ˌrē-prə-ˈdüs , -ˈdyüs \

Definition of reproduce for Students

reproduced; reproducing

1 : to produce another living thing of the same kind

Many plants reproduce by means of seeds.

2 : to imitate closely

Sound effects reproduced thunder.

3 : to make a copy of

Medical Dictionary

reproduce

verb re·pro·duce \ ˌrē-prə-ˈd(y)üs \

medical Definition of reproduce

reproduced; reproducing

transitive verb

1 : to produce (new individuals of the same kind) by a sexual or asexual process

2 : to achieve (an original result or score) again or anew by repeating an experiment or test

intransitive verb

1 : to undergo reproduction

2 : to produce offspring

Learn More about reproduce

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reproduce

Definition of reproduce

reproducer

reproducibility

reproducible

reproducibly

Examples of reproduce in a Sentence

Recent Examples of reproduce from the Web

First Known Use of reproduce

reproduce Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

REPRODUCE Defined for English Language Learners

reproduce

Definition of reproduce for English Language Learners

REPRODUCE Defined for Kids

reproduce

Definition of reproduce for Students

Medical Dictionary

reproduce

medical Definition of reproduce

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