spawn

[spawn]

noun

plural

spawn, spawns 

1. Zoology.,  the mass of eggs deposited by fishes, amphibians, mollusks, crustaceans, etc.

2. Mycology.,  the mycelium of mushrooms, especially of the species grown for the market.

3. Usually Disparaging.,  a swarming brood; numerous progeny.

   Diners at the restaurant were annoyed by the two inconsiderate parents and their unruly spawn.

4. any person or thing regarded as the offspring of some stock, idea, etc.

adjective

1. of or relating to the spawning of a character or item in a video game: the spawn rate.

   a spawn point;

   the spawn rate.

verb (used without object)

1. to deposit eggs or sperm directly into the water, as fishes.

2. (of a character or item in a video game) to originate at a fixed point in an existing game environment.

   An enemy character just spawned right on top of me!

verb (used with object)

1. to produce (spawn).

2. to give birth to; give rise to.

   His sudden disappearance spawned many rumors.

   Synonyms: beget, yield, generate, engender

3. to produce in large number.

4. to plant with mycelium.

spawn

/ spɔːn /

noun

1. the mass of eggs deposited by fish, amphibians, or molluscs

2. derogatory,  offspring, product, or yield

3. botany the nontechnical name for mycelium

verb

1. (of fish, amphibians, etc) to produce or deposit (eggs)

2. derogatory,  (of people) to produce (offspring)

3. (tr) to produce or engender

spawn

1. The eggs of water animals such as fish, amphibians, and mollusks.

2. Offspring produced in large numbers.

1. To lay eggs; produce spawn.

Other Word Forms

• spawner noun
• unspawned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spawn¹

1350–1400; Middle English spawnen (v.), probably < Anglo-French espaundre ( Old French espandre ) to expand

Word History and Origins

Origin of spawn¹

C14: from Anglo-Norman espaundre, from Old French spandre to spread out, _expand

Example Sentences

The heyday of Britain’s Victorian empire spawned many larger-than-life personalities, but few of them rivaled Col.

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The accident, which spawned congressional hearings, litigation and a criminal probe, galvanized opponents of nuclear power.

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Black Friday spawned the creation of other sales events, such as Cyber Monday, when online retailers slash prices each Monday after Thanksgiving in a bid to attract customers.

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After all, “Star Wars” began with one movie, but it has now spawned multiple pictures and other projects, leading up to Disney+

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It spread like wildfire on TikTok and Instagram, spawning its own hand gestures, and became so ubiquitous -- and annoying -- that it was reportedly banned in some US schools.

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Related Words

• create 
• generate