sexual reproduction

American  

[sek-shoo-uhl ree-pruh-duhk-shuhn] / ˈsɛk ʃu əl ˌri prəˈdʌk ʃən /

noun

Biology.

1. reproduction involving the union of gametes.

---

sexual reproduction British  

noun

1. reproduction involving the fusion of a male and female haploid gamete

---

sexual reproduction Scientific  

1. See under reproduction

---

sexual reproduction Cultural  

1. The production of a new living thing by two parent organisms, with each parent contributing half the material in the DNA of the offspring. The young, genetically different from either parent, can rapidly adapt to their environment by means of natural selection. (See chromosomes and meiosis.)

---

Etymology

Origin of sexual reproduction

First recorded in 1880–85

Compare meaning

How does sexual-reproduction compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• asexual reproduction vs. sexual reproduction

Example Sentences

"Stress essentially leads to sexual reproduction, and when that happens, we can see a massive increase in dispersal distances as animals attempt to colonise new areas due to an increase in competition."

From Science Daily • Jun. 10, 2026

No matter how many romantically frustrated mammals have wished they could truly go it alone, though, a genetic quirk means we still need sexual reproduction.

From New York Times • Feb. 13, 2024

In mammals, sexual reproduction leads to offspring made up of a mixture of genes from their father and mother.

From BBC • Jan. 16, 2024

Studying parthenogenesis, she says, helps biologists to understand the benefits and trade-offs associated with sexual reproduction.

From Scientific American • Aug. 1, 2023

Fossils, for example, and whether their existence disproved the Book of Genesis; Brother Mendel’s experiments on the sexual reproduction of the sweet pea; the fallacy of laudable pus.

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly