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

The paper, "Asexual reproduction in reef-building corals: Insights into fragment attachment to improve restoration and predict natural recovery" was published in Royal Society Open Science, online.

From Science Daily • Oct. 29, 2025

Asexual reproduction produces plants that are genetically identical to the parent plant because no mixing of male and female gametes takes place.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Asexual reproduction is common in some groups in which an entire organism can be regenerated from just a part of itself.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013

Plant biology Cloning Reproduction Asexual reproduction Around Saint Patrick's Day the color green seems to be everywhere—from hats to shamrocks.

From Scientific American • Mar. 14, 2013

Asexual reproduction in plants is when new plants are made without male and female parts mixing, and it can be done without making seeds.

From Scientific American • Mar. 14, 2013