produce
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to bring into existence; give rise to; cause.
to produce steam.
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to bring into existence by intellectual or creative ability.
to produce a great painting.
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to make or manufacture.
to produce automobiles for export.
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to bring forth; give birth to; bear.
to produce a litter of puppies.
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to provide, furnish, or supply; yield.
a mine producing silver.
- Synonyms:
- afford
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Finance. to cause to accrue.
stocks producing unexpected dividends.
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to bring forward; present to view or notice; exhibit.
to produce one's credentials.
- Synonyms:
- show
- Antonyms:
- conceal
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to bring (a play, movie, opera, etc.) before the public.
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to extend or prolong, as a line.
verb (used without object)
-
to create, bring forth, or yield offspring, products, etc..
Their mines are closed because they no longer produce.
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Economics. to create economic value; bring crops, goods, etc., to a point at which they will command a price.
noun
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something that is produced; yield; product.
-
agricultural products collectively, especially vegetables and fruits.
-
offspring, especially of a female animal.
the produce of a mare.
verb
-
to bring (something) into existence; yield
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to bring forth (a product) by mental or physical effort; make
she produced a delicious dinner for us
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(tr) to give birth to
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(tr) to manufacture (a commodity)
this firm produces cartons
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(tr) to give rise to
her joke produced laughter
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(tr) to present to view
to produce evidence
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to bring before the public
he produced two plays and a film last year
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to conceive and create the overall sound of (a record) and supervise its arrangement, recording, and mixing
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(tr) geometry to extend (a line)
noun
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anything that is produced; product
-
agricultural products regarded collectively
farm produce
Synonym Usage
See crop.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
produceablenessnoun
-
producibilitynoun
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produciblenessnoun
-
productibilitynoun
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superproducenoun
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misproduceverb
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superproduceverb
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nonproducibleadjective
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nonproducingadjective
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produceableadjective
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producibleadjective
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productibleadjective
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unproducedadjective
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unproducibleadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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producesimple
-
producessimple
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have producedperfect
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has producedperfect
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are producingprogressive
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am producingprogressive
-
is producingprogressive
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have been producingperfect progressive
-
has been producingperfect progressive
Past
-
producedsimple
-
had producedperfect
-
was producingprogressive
-
were producingprogressive
-
had been producingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of produce
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”
Explanation
To produce is to create, manufacture, or cultivate. We rely on agriculture to produce food and artists to produce art. As a noun, produce (accented first syllable) is the product of gardening: fruits and vegetables. The verb form of this word (accented last syllable) has several meanings, all related to making, creating, bringing forth, or raising. At the airport, you might be asked to produce (show) some identification. To produce results is to get a job done or to have something to show for your work. To produce children is to give birth to them or raise them.
Vocabulary lists containing produce
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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Lead the Way: Duc and Duct
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Academic Vocabulary Toolkit 1, Words 71-80
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Produce prices often swing wildly because of weather conditions, demand and trade policies.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026
The live show will be set at a reimagining of the Ambridge Flower & Produce Show, and begins in Manchester on 7 June, before visiting towns and cities across England, Scotland and Wales.
From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026
When possible, EWG recommends prioritizing organic purchases for the most contaminated items listed in its Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce.
From Science Daily • Mar. 4, 2026
In 2018, Murdock sold a 45% stake in Dole to Dublin, Ireland-based Total Produce Plc. for $300 million.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 11, 2025
Produce protons in sufficient quantity, Gamow suggested, and sooner or later a lucky bullet would find its mark.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
