asexual reproduction

American  

[ey-sek-shoo-uhl ree-pruh-duhk-shuhn] / ˌeɪˈsɛk ʃu əl ˌri prəˈdʌk ʃən /

noun

Biology.

1. reproduction, as budding, fission, or spore formation, not involving the union of gametes.

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asexual reproduction Scientific  

/ ā-sĕk′sho̅o̅-əl /

1. See under reproduction

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asexual reproduction Cultural  

1. The kind of reproduction in which it is not necessary to have two parents to produce offspring. The reproduction of single-celled organisms through fission, and the production of spores in some plants and plantlike organisms, are examples of asexual reproduction.

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Etymology

Origin of asexual reproduction

First recorded in 18455–60

Compare meaning

How does asexual-reproduction compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• sexual vs. asexual reproduction
• asexual reproduction vs. sexual reproduction

Example Sentences

This finding lends support to a long-standing but previously unconfirmed idea that asexual reproduction may offer advantages in extreme environments.

From Science Daily • Mar. 2, 2026

The pregnancy was thought to be the result of a type of asexual reproduction called parthenogenesis, in which offspring develop from unfertilized eggs, meaning there is no genetic contribution by a male.

From Seattle Times • May 31, 2024

This is a form of asexual reproduction where a female egg is fertilized without the sperm from a male.

From BBC • Feb. 15, 2024

While female asexual reproduction could be a clever way of nature surviving a tough time, some researchers believe that it actually could be self-sabotaging.

From Salon • Jun. 10, 2023

On the other hand, sexual reproduction is the general rule with all the higher organisms, both animal and plant; very rarely do we find asexual reproduction among them.

From The Evolution of Man — Volume 1 by Haeckel, Ernst Heinrich Philipp August