procreation

[ proh-kree-ey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act or process of begetting offspring:

   The techniques of medically assisted procreation are constantly progressing.

   Procreation perpetuates the species—hippos give birth to hippos, not humans.

Other Words From

• non·pro·cre·a·tion noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of procreation¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin prōcreātiōn-, stem of prōcreātiō, equivalent to prōcreāt(us) (past participle of prōcreāre ) + -iō -ion ( def ); procreate ( def )

Example Sentences

Swiss law makes it difficult for same-sex couples in civil partnerships to access medically assisted methods of procreation or to adopt children.

From Washington Blade

It stands for the proposition that the biological basis of procreation should also be the sole organizing principle of society.

From The Daily Beast

Other justifications, such as procreation and the raising of children, have been dismissed as bogus.

From The Daily Beast

Since the ban, Italians have been the ones traveling for the purpose of procreation.

From The Daily Beast

He also noted, somewhat dramatically, that “Without procreation, we would eventually disappear as a species.”

From The Daily Beast

I wonder how much the Federalist Society invested in this cockamamie responsible procreation idea.

From The Daily Beast

In fact, we find savages who do not know that the sex relationship has anything to do with procreation.

From Project Gutenberg

The fertilization and growth of plants are regarded as processes resembling the procreation of man.

From Project Gutenberg

The life-giving activity of the deity in connection with human procreation came to be of focal interest.

From Project Gutenberg

Since the sphere of procreation proceeds thus far, how much more must it proceed to animals of every kind, even to worms!

From Project Gutenberg

The first end of conjugial love is the procreation of offspring, and the last, or the effect, is the offspring procreated.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• propagation