reproductive

American  

[ree-pruh-duhk-tiv] / ˌri prəˈdʌk tɪv /

adjective

1. serving to reproduce.

2. concerned with or pertaining to reproduction.

   a reproductive process; reproductive organs.

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noun

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

reproductive British  

/ ˌriːprəˈdʌktɪv /

adjective

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

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Other Word Forms

• nonreproductive adjective
• nonreproductively adverb
• nonreproductiveness noun
• reproductively adverb
• reproductiveness noun
• unreproductive adjective
• unreproductively adverb
• unreproductiveness noun

Etymology

Origin of reproductive

First recorded in 1745–55; re- + productive

Example Sentences

A statement describes it as a side effect of reproductive tract disease, which she had a history of before arriving at the zoo and is common in aging female elephants.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

“In the past, every time I paid the fees, my heart would clench,” said Li Meng, a 45-year-old patient undergoing assisted reproductive treatment at Peking University People’s Hospital.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

"If you're taking a high dose antioxidant, you could be diminishing your reproductive fitness and part of the journey toward the bad outcome is going to be the effects on the offspring."

From Science Daily • Mar. 27, 2026

The unions said the offer was too low and failed to address many other concerns including reproductive health leave and the use of artificial intelligence.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

Thus, the high percentage of hermaphroditic selfers in the Fertile Crescent flora aided early farmers, because it meant that a high percentage of the wild flora had a reproductive biology convenient for humans.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond