reproduce

verb

re·​pro·​duce ˌrē-prə-ˈdüs 

-ˈdyüs

reproduced; reproducing; reproduces

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

ˌrē-prə-ˌdü-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

-ˌdyü-

noun

reproducible

ˌrē-prə-ˈdü-sə-bəl 

-ˈdyü-

adjective or noun

reproducibly

ˌrē-prə-ˈdü-sə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• breed
• multiply
• procreate
• propagate

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 on the Web

Sea turtles take decades to mature, usually between 20 to 30 years, and can reproduce for another 10 years after this, according to the WWF. —Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024

Peregrine falcons have made a comeback in the U.S. after large populations declines hit the species in the mid ‘90s due to pesticide contamination affected their ability to reproduce. —Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Apr. 2024

What followed was a movement that experts say has been reproduced from Australia to Argentina, as street art added to a neighborhood’s cultural cachet. —Isabella Kwai, New York Times, 31 Mar. 2024

This would make such systems particularly vulnerable to AI fakes since detecting and reproducing patterns is where generative AI shines. —Wayne Chang, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024

Habitat fragmentation prevents animals from traversing freely, threatening herds’ ability to reproduce and survive. —Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 28 Mar. 2024

Studies of the samples’ guts, gonads and eggs help determine how much the fish eat and reproduce. —Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2024

Scientists suggest the golden head feathers were rewarded by natural selection, as females chose the most vibrantly colored hybrids to reproduce with. —Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2024

Sequoias need fire to reproduce, but the supercharged blazes of recent years have become lethal to the trees already weakened by drought and bark beetles. —Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1611, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

reproduce

verb

re·​pro·​duce ˌrē-prə-ˈd(y)üs 

1

a

: to produce new individuals of the same kind

b

: to cause to exist again

reproduce water from steam

c

: to imitate closely

sound effects can reproduce the sound of thunder

d

: to present again

e

: to make an image or copy of

reproduce a face on canvas

f

: to translate a recording into sound

2

: to go through reproduction

her voice reproduces well

3

: to produce offspring

reproducer noun

Medical Definition

reproduce

verb

re·​pro·​duce ˌrē-prə-ˈd(y)üs 

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