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

/ spôn /

Noun

1. The eggs of water animals such as fish, amphibians, and mollusks.
2. Offspring produced in large numbers.

Verb

1. To lay eggs; produce spawn.

Derived Forms

• ˈspawner, noun

Other Word Forms

• spawner noun
• un·spawned 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

State officials say the Newsom administration’s ongoing efforts to help salmon populations recover include restoring tidal habitats, modernizing infrastructure, removing barriers that hinder fish migration and reintroducing salmon in traditional spawning areas upstream from dams.

From Los Angeles Times

Both sunlight and moonlight play roles in regulating the spawning and migration of Japanese eels.

From Salon

Since its creation more than a decade ago, the “Minecraft” franchise has spawned countless memes among fans and the rare combination of a chicken and a zombie in the game is among those inside jokes.

From Los Angeles Times

International trade spawned the use of giant cargo ships ferrying goods across the oceans in massive containers.

From Los Angeles Times

But some of the massive, velvety echinoderms began the spawning process spontaneously — three days before the group would arrive.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• create
• generate