reproduce

[ree-pruh-doos, -dyoos]

verb (used with object)

reproduced, reproducing 

1. to make a copy, representation, duplicate, or close imitation of.

   to reproduce a picture.

2. to produce again or anew by natural process.

   to reproduce a severed branch.

3. Biology.,  to produce one or more other individuals of (a given kind of organism) by some process of generation or propagation, sexual or asexual.

   Synonyms: beget, propagate, generate

4. to cause or foster the reproduction of (organisms).

5. to produce, form, make, or bring about again or anew in any manner.

   Synonyms: repeat

6. to recall to the mind or have a mental image of (a past incident, scene, etc.), as by the aid of memory or imagination.

7. to produce again, as a play produced at an earlier time.

verb (used without object)

reproduced, reproducing 

1. to reproduce its kind, as an organism; propagate; bear offspring.

2. to turn out in a given manner when copied.

   This picture will reproduce well.

reproduce

/ ˌriːprəˈdjuːs /

verb

1. to make a copy, representation, or imitation of; duplicate

2. (also intr) biology to undergo or cause to undergo a process of reproduction

3. to produce or exhibit again

4. to bring back into existence again; re-create

5. to bring before the mind again (a scene, event, etc) through memory or imagination

6. (intr) to come out (well, badly, etc), when copied

7. to replace (damaged parts or organs) by a process of natural growth; regenerate

8. to cause (a sound or television recording) to be heard or seen

Other Word Forms

• reproducer noun
• reproducible adjective
• self-reproducing adjective
• reproducibility noun
• reproducibly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of reproduce¹

First recorded in 1605–15; re- + produce

Synonym Study

See imitate.

Example Sentences

But scientists say the studies had a number of weaknesses and need to be reproduced on a larger scale.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The most recent of these, OpenAI's Sora - which was released last week - has attracted scrutiny for the ease with which people can reproduce copyrighted characters and material.

Read more on BBC

"If these lobsters are surviving and reproducing, they're passing on that trait," he said.

Read more on BBC

This species of octopus reproduces toward the end of life, when a female chooses a large male to mate with, according to the Ocean Conservancy.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“They knew that the women who would use it were the type of women they would want to encourage to reproduce, so-called ‘better’ women — upper-middle-class women,” said historian Daniel Kevles.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• clone 
• copy 
• duplicate 
• emulate 
• imitate 
• mirror 
• photocopy 
• portray 
• print 
• recreate 
• reflect 
• repeat 
• replicate 
• reprint