produce

[ verb pruh-doos, -dyoos; noun prod-oos, -yoos, proh-doos, -dyoos ]

verb (used with object)

, pro·duced, pro·duc·ing.

1. to bring into existence; give rise to; cause:

   to produce steam.

   Synonyms: create, generate

   Antonyms: ruin, destroy

2. to bring into existence by intellectual or creative ability:

   to produce a great painting.

3. to make or manufacture:

   to produce automobiles for export.

4. to bring forth; give birth to; bear:

   to produce a litter of puppies.

5. to provide, furnish, or supply; yield:

   a mine producing silver.

   Synonyms: afford

6. Finance. to cause to accrue:

   stocks producing unexpected dividends.

7. to bring forward; present to view or notice; exhibit:

   to produce one's credentials.

   Synonyms: show

   Antonyms: conceal

8. to bring (a play, movie, opera, etc.) before the public.
9. to extend or prolong, as a line.

verb (used without object)

, pro·duced, pro·duc·ing.

1. to create, bring forth, or yield offspring, products, etc.:

   Their mines are closed because they no longer produce.

2. Economics. to create economic value; bring crops, goods, etc., to a point at which they will command a price.

noun

1. something that is produced; yield; product.
2. agricultural products collectively, especially vegetables and fruits.
3. offspring, especially of a female animal:

   the produce of a mare.

produce

verb

1. to bring (something) into existence; yield
2. to bring forth (a product) by mental or physical effort; make

   she produced a delicious dinner for us

3. tr to give birth to
4. tr to manufacture (a commodity)

   this firm produces cartons

5. tr to give rise to

   her joke produced laughter

6. tr to present to view

   to produce evidence

7. to bring before the public

   he produced two plays and a film last year

8. to conceive and create the overall sound of (a record) and supervise its arrangement, recording, and mixing
9. tr geometry to extend (a line)

noun

1. anything that is produced; product
2. agricultural products regarded collectively

   farm produce

Derived Forms

• proˈducible, adjective
• proˌduciˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• pro·duci·ble pro·ducea·ble pro·ducti·ble adjective
• pro·duci·bili·ty pro·duct·i·bil·i·ty [pr, uh, -duhk-t, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], pro·duci·ble·ness pro·ducea·ble·ness noun
• inter·pro·duce verb (used with object) interproduced interproducing
• mispro·duce verb misproduced misproducing
• nonpro·duci·ble adjective
• nonpro·ducing adjective
• outpro·duce verb (used with object) outproduced outproducing
• super·pro·duce verb superproduced superproducing
• super·produce noun
• unpro·duced adjective
• unpro·duci·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of produce¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English producen, from Latin prōdūcere “to lead or bring forward, extend, prolong, produce,” equivalent to prō- pro- ¹( def ) + dūcere “to lead”

Word History and Origins

Origin of produce¹

C15: from Latin prōdūcere to bring forward, from pro- ¹+ dūcere to lead

Synonym Study

See crop.

Example Sentences

Programming extends well beyond U-pick to include a produce shop, educational programs for kids and adults, open community farming initiatives, and other BIPOC-focused nonprofit efforts.

From Eater

The year was made more excruciating by meagre rainfall, crippling agriculture produce, and leading to conditions of famine in major parts of the country.

From Quartz

The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus is investigating the selection and performance of distribution companies that the USDA hired to implement the program, including several that lacked a requisite license to deal in fresh produce.

From ProPublica

Before the mid-’90s, we never really investigated foodborne illness outbreaks linked to fresh produce.

From Eater

This would leave the federal government to buy and store excess produce.

From Freakonomics

He was then literally slapped around by the high priest, who pulled on his ears in an effort to produce tears.

From The Daily Beast

Disney has a choice whether to produce a program with certain fictional characters; the storyline could be re-written or changed.

From The Daily Beast

Brinsley was trying to produce tracks—hip-hop, mostly—and he apparently had a knack as a techie.

From The Daily Beast

The NRA supports the open carry of guns in cafes, burrito shops, and the produce aisle.

From The Daily Beast

As more people come online, the most basic tasks—such as going out to the market to sell produce—will become more efficient.

From The Daily Beast

He alludes to it as one of their evil customs and used by them to produce insensibility.

From Project Gutenberg

The thought seemed to produce the dreaded object, for next moment a large hummock appeared right ahead.

From Project Gutenberg

He is simply hearing every tone, knowing exactly what effect he wishes to produce and how to do it.

From Project Gutenberg

As guileless, though as self-reliant, gentlewomen as sequestered England could produce.

From Project Gutenberg

He had five girls by his first wife; there is no reason why this splendid cow I have picked out should not produce a dozen boys.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• crop
• goods
• production