reproduction

[ ree-pruh-duhk-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act or process of reproducing.
2. the state of being reproduced.
3. something made by reproducing an original; copy; duplicate:

   a photographic reproduction; a reproduction of a Roman vase.

   Synonyms: facsimile, replica

4. Biology. the natural process among organisms by which new individuals are generated and the species perpetuated.

   Synonyms: propagation, generation

reproduction

/ ˌriːprəˈdʌkʃən /

noun

1. biology any of various processes, either sexual or asexual, by which an animal or plant produces one or more individuals similar to itself
2. 1. an imitation or facsimile of a work of art, esp of a picture made by photoengraving
   2. ( as modifier ) Sometimes shortened torepro

      a reproduction portrait

3. the quality of sound from an audio system

   this amplifier gives excellent reproduction

4. the act or process of reproducing
5. the state of being reproduced
6. a revival of an earlier production, as of a play

reproduction

/ rē′prə-dŭk′shən /

1. The process by which cells and organisms produce other cells and organisms of the same kind.
2. ◆ The reproduction of organisms by the union of male and female reproductive cells (gametes) is called sexual reproduction. Many unicellular and most multicellular organisms reproduce sexually.
3. ◆ Reproduction in which offspring are produced by a single parent, without the union of reproductive cells, is called asexual reproduction. The fission (splitting) of bacterial cells and the cells of multicellular organisms by mitosis is a form of asexual reproduction, as is the budding of yeast cells and the generation of clones by runners in plants. Many plants and fungi are capable of reproducing both sexually and asexually, as are some animals, such as sponges and aphids.

Other Words From

• nonre·pro·duction noun
• self-repro·duction noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of reproduction¹

First recorded in 1650–60; re- + production

Example Sentences

Such are our funeral parlors for food, where mechanical reproduction haunts nourishment and we eat from the giant slot machines of industry.

From Los Angeles Times

This occurs when genetic material is incorporated into an organism’s genome in some way other than through reproduction.

From Salon

It was men — these “protectors of women” — who later wrested control of women’s health and reproduction from women themselves.

From Salon

In her order last week, Justice Prathiba Singh said that “under Indian law, there was no prohibition against posthumous reproduction” if the sperm owner had given consent.

From BBC

It champions not just having children but having many—large families for the sake of large families, reproduction for reproduction’s sake.

From Salon

Related Words

• breeding
• copy
• facsimile
• imitation
• photocopy
• photograph
• picture
• print
• propagation
• recreation
• replica
• replication