procreate

[ proh-kree-eyt ]

verb (used with object)

, pro·cre·at·ed, pro·cre·at·ing.

1. to beget or generate (offspring).
2. to produce; bring into being.

verb (used without object)

, pro·cre·at·ed, pro·cre·at·ing.

1. to beget offspring.
2. to produce; bring into being.

procreate

/ ˈprəʊkrɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. to beget or engender (offspring)
2. tr to bring into being

Derived Forms

• ˈprocreant, adjective
• ˈprocreˌator, noun
• ˌprocreˈation, noun

Other Words From

• pro·cre·a·tion [proh-kree-, ey, -sh, uh, n] noun
• pro·cre·a·tive adjective
• pro·cre·a·tive·ness noun
• pro·cre·a·tor noun
• non·pro·cre·a·tive adjective
• un·pro·cre·at·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of procreate¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin prōcreātus, past participle of prōcreāre “to breed”; pro- ¹, create

Word History and Origins

Origin of procreate¹

C16: from Latin prōcreāre, from pro- ¹+ creāre to create

Example Sentences

Yes, humans, like virtually every life form, have a need to procreate — but in aggregate, not individually.

From Los Angeles Times

The pressure to procreate comes from so many directions I’m considering pitching a “Walking Dead” spinoff where the child free are the living and everyone else are zombies trying to turn us.

From Los Angeles Times

Vance is also, famously, a big fan of shaming women for not having babies, calling them "miserable cat ladies" and "sociopathic" if they haven't procreated.

From Salon

Vance’s openly crackpot assertion that people who do not procreate are somehow less sane, and less American, than people who do is most definitely weird.

From Los Angeles Times

In this case, Patterson said, her client has a strong interest in avoiding procreating against his will.

From Seattle Times