spawn

[spawn]

noun

plural

spawn, spawns 

1. Zoology.,  the mass of eggs deposited by fishes, amphibians, mollusks, crustaceans, etc.

2. Mycology.,  the mycelium of mushrooms, especially of the species grown for the market.

3. Usually Disparaging.,  a swarming brood; numerous progeny.

   Diners at the restaurant were annoyed by the two inconsiderate parents and their unruly spawn.

4. any person or thing regarded as the offspring of some stock, idea, etc.

adjective

1. of or relating to the spawning of a character or item in a video game: the spawn rate.

   a spawn point;

   the spawn rate.

verb (used without object)

1. to deposit eggs or sperm directly into the water, as fishes.

2. (of a character or item in a video game) to originate at a fixed point in an existing game environment.

   An enemy character just spawned right on top of me!

verb (used with object)

1. to produce (spawn).

2. to give birth to; give rise to.

   His sudden disappearance spawned many rumors.

   Synonyms: beget, yield, generate, engender

3. to produce in large number.

4. to plant with mycelium.

spawn

/ spɔːn /

noun

1. the mass of eggs deposited by fish, amphibians, or molluscs

2. derogatory,  offspring, product, or yield

3. botany the nontechnical name for mycelium

verb

1. (of fish, amphibians, etc) to produce or deposit (eggs)

2. derogatory,  (of people) to produce (offspring)

3. (tr) to produce or engender

spawn

1. The eggs of water animals such as fish, amphibians, and mollusks.

2. Offspring produced in large numbers.

1. To lay eggs; produce spawn.

Other Word Forms

• spawner noun
• unspawned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spawn¹

1350–1400; Middle English spawnen (v.), probably < Anglo-French espaundre ( Old French espandre ) to expand

Word History and Origins

Origin of spawn¹

C14: from Anglo-Norman espaundre, from Old French spandre to spread out, _expand

Example Sentences

His work over the years has spawned an industry that created thousands of well-paying jobs for people across the country, he said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“The Fast and the Furious” did well enough to spawn sequels, but the series really exploded with the release of the fifth film in the franchise, 2011’s “Fast Five.”

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Assembly Bill 715 was among the most hotly contested education-related measures, spawning from dissatisfaction, largely among a coalition of Jewish groups, to the way ethnic studies has been taught in some California classrooms.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Earhart's disappearance during an attempt to circumnavigate the globe spawned numerous theories - from a simple crash due to fuel exhaustion to more elaborate claims of Japanese capture or US government espionage.

Read more on BBC

Shasta are advised to be aware of the continued risk of avalanches in higher-elevation areas days after the peak was rocked by a slide that spawned 60-foot snow walls.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• create 
• generate