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procreate

[proh-kree-eyt]
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verb (used with object), pro·cre·at·ed, pro·cre·at·ing.
  1. to beget or generate (offspring).
  2. to produce; bring into being.
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verb (used without object), pro·cre·at·ed, pro·cre·at·ing.
  1. to beget offspring.
  2. to produce; bring into being.
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Origin of procreate

1530–40; < Latin prōcreātus, past participle of prōcreāre to breed. See pro-1, create
Related formspro·cre·a·tion, nounpro·cre·a·tive, adjectivepro·cre·a·tive·ness, nounpro·cre·a·tor, nounnon·pro·cre·a·tion, nounnon·pro·cre·a·tive, adjectiveun·pro·cre·at·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

propagationgenerationbreedingconceptionimpregnationengenderment

Examples from the Web for procreation

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • An extremely important question is that of the procreation of children.

  • Questions of heredity, procreation and education will be dealt with calmly and freely.

  • Procreation is one of the uses of sex-love, but it is not its primary function.

  • A peculiar aptitude for procreation is sometimes hereditary.

    The Physical Life of Woman:

    Dr. George H Napheys

  • It is difficult to see how savage men could have got any idea of procreation.

    Folkways

    William Graham Sumner

British Dictionary definitions for procreation

procreate

verb
  1. to beget or engender (offspring)
  2. (tr) to bring into being
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Derived Formsprocreant or procreative, adjectiveprocreation, nounprocreator, noun

Word Origin

C16: from Latin prōcreāre, from pro- 1 + creāre to create
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for procreation

n.

late 14c., "process of begetting offspring," from Old French procreacion (14c., Modern French prócreation) and directly from Latin procreationem (nominative procreatio) "a begetting, generation," noun of action from past participle stem of procreare "bring forth" (offspring), "beget, generate, produce," from pro- "forth" (see pro-) + creare "create" (see create).

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procreate

v.

1530s, a back formation from procreation or else from Latin procreatus, past participle of procreare "to beget, bring forth" (see procreation). Related: Procreated; procreating.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
procreation in Medicine

procreate

(prō′krē-āt′)
v.
  1. To beget and conceive offspring; to reproduce.
  2. To produce or create; originate.
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Related formspro′cre•a′tion n.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.