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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of reproduce¹

First recorded in 1605–15; re- + produce

Synonym Study

See imitate.

Example Sentences

A slime mould consists of mobile, single-celled, amoeba-like organisms that live independently but can come together to function as a single entity in order to find food and reproduce.

From BBC

Utah’s Great Salt, another critical stopover, declined in 2022 to its lowest level on record, making the water saltier and more difficult for brine shrimp and flies to reproduce.

From Los Angeles Times

The fire is burning in the Covington Flats area of Joshua Tree National Park, an important region where experts say the trees are best suited to survive and reproduce in a warming climate.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite over a million captive-bred sturgeon being released into the Yangtze last year, attempts to boost the population have been unsuccessful, as the fish are not reproducing by themselves in the wild.

From BBC

Piscitelli both curated and designed the exhibition in San Francisco, whose reproduced images are not set in precious frames, like fine art, but printed on recyclable cardboard panels resting on Home Depot galvanized studs.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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