reproductive

[ ree-pruh-duhk-tiv ]

adjective

1. serving to reproduce.
2. concerned with or pertaining to reproduction:

   a reproductive process; reproductive organs.

noun

1. Entomology. a sexually mature male or female termite; a member of the reproductive caste.

reproductive

/ ˌriːprəˈdʌktɪv /

adjective

1. of, relating to, characteristic of, or taking part in reproduction

Derived Forms

• ˌreproˈductiveness, noun
• ˌreproˈductively, adverb

Other Words From

• repro·ductive·ly adverb
• repro·ductive·ness noun
• nonre·pro·ductive adjective
• nonre·pro·ductive·ly adverb
• nonre·pro·ductive·ness noun
• unre·pro·ductive adjective
• unre·pro·ductive·ly adverb
• unre·pro·ductive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of reproductive¹

First recorded in 1745–55; re- + productive

Example Sentences

Recently, she and others looked at the use of bots in posts about women’s reproductive rights.

From Science News For Students

Twentyeight Health partners with Healthify to expand its reproductive and sexual health services

From TechCrunch

Xiao Qi Ji has been dubbed a miracle cub because he was born near the end of his mother’s reproductive years.

From Washington Post

They rely fully on hijacking the reproductive tools of the cells they infect in order to generate their progeny.

From Time

As a result, adolescents are not getting to talk in private with a physician who’s going to ask them about their reproductive health and give them accurate advice.

From Washington Post

Complete male reproductive independence would also hinge on artificial womb technology, which also made headlines in 2014.

From The Daily Beast

Men and women who become infertile as a result of chemotherapy could also regain their reproductive capabilities.

From The Daily Beast

In the absence of cultural shifts, then, new reproductive technology might not matter as much for women as it would for men.

From The Daily Beast

Increased access to reproductive healthcare has resulted in better maternal and infant health outcomes.

From The Daily Beast

The two talked about reproductive freedom (with a dig at recent efforts in Texas to highly regulate abortion clinics).

From The Daily Beast

No young Cave Swallows were taken and gonads of adults were in various stages of reproductive activity.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus, of erections occurring before the reproductive glands ripen, not all are of a sexual nature.

From Project Gutenberg

The reproductive organs are no better adapted to their purpose than are the working organs.

From Project Gutenberg

In fact, reproductive attributes of both nature and man were often worshipped at the same ceremony.

From Project Gutenberg

Here too we find that the emotions and feelings associated with the reproductive instinct may be inadequately developed.

From Project Gutenberg