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

Then, involution started being used to describe a similar dynamic in industries where a mismatch of supply and demand has spawned aggressive price wars.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

This type of mpox is different from the one that spawned a global outbreak in 2022, which is known as “Clade II.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They have helped win wars, created lifesaving cures, and spawned innovations that have given America 26% of the world’s gross domestic product despite having only 4% of its population.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

With Hollywood’s current trend of sequels and remakes, it’s easy to believe that “KPop Demon Hunters” could spawn its own franchise.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

YouTube more recently spawned a subgenre now popular on TikTok in which video creators stop and talk to strangers on the street in hopes of generating surprisingly comedic or provocative content.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• create 
• generate