beget

verb

be·​get bi-ˈget How to pronounce beget (audio)
bē-
begot bi-ˈgät How to pronounce beget (audio)
bē-
also begat bi-ˈgat How to pronounce beget (audio)
bē-
; begotten bi-ˈgä-tᵊn How to pronounce beget (audio)
bē-
or begot; begetting

transitive verb

1
: to procreate as the father : sire
He died without begetting an heir.
2
: to produce especially as an effect or outgrowth
Violence only begets more violence.
begetter noun

Examples of beget in a Sentence

He died without begetting an heir. one change in the natural environment will beget others
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.
Similarly, on the other side of that coin, negative thoughts beget negative outcomes. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024 Susumu Fukui, chef of the original La Petite Chaya in Los Feliz, which begat several other Chayas, including Chaya Brasserie, was a major early influence. Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2024 Ferguson begat Ryan Clady, begat Kelvin Beachum, begat Mekhi Becton, George Fant and Duane Brown. Zack Rosenblatt, The Athletic, 6 Aug. 2024 This begets the critical question: Will America withstand such a razor-thin outcome? Chris Jackson, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for beget 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English begeten, beyeten, going back to Old English begietan "to get, beget," from be- be- + gietan "to get entry 1"

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of beget was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near beget

Cite this Entry

“Beget.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beget. Accessed 7 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

beget

verb
be·​get bi-ˈget How to pronounce beget (audio)
begot -ˈgät How to pronounce beget (audio) also begat -ˈgat How to pronounce beget (audio) ; begotten -ˈgät-ᵊn How to pronounce beget (audio) or begot; begetting
1
: to become the father of
2
begetter noun

More from Merriam-Webster on beget

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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