procreate

verb

pro·​cre·​ate ˈprō-krē-ˌāt How to pronounce procreate (audio)
procreated; procreating

transitive verb

: to beget or bring forth (offspring) : propagate

intransitive verb

: to beget or bring forth offspring : reproduce
procreation noun
procreative adjective
procreator noun

Examples of procreate in a Sentence

Animals have a natural instinct to procreate. the common perception that our Puritan forebears procreated more out of a sense of duty than from desire
Recent Examples on the Web In the wake of the Great Recession in 2008, birth rates fell, just as economic theory would predict — when incomes go down, would-be parents are less likely to procreate. Patrick T. Brown, National Review, 25 Jan. 2024 Democratic Party programs have empowered women to procreate without you entirely. Conn Carroll, Washington Examiner, 12 Jan. 2024 The movie stars Garry Shandling, Annette Bening and John Goodman, and is about an alien (Shandling) who comes to Earth from an all-male planet to procreate and have a child. Carly Tagen-Dye, Peoplemag, 17 Dec. 2023 State laws can be lacking in addressing the nuances of parental relationships and the right to procreate, as the Heidemann case appears to suggest. Christine Hauser, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Mar. 2023 The choice to procreate is not regarded as needing any thought or justification. Clare Egan, Longreads, 10 Aug. 2023 It will not be changed by one person’s decision to procreate or drive or recycle and cannot be magically reversed. Lorraine Berry, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2023 This piece argues that the decision to procreate needs to be thoughtfully considered through an ethical lens, particularly in light of the child’s inherent vulnerability and dependence: Choosing to have a child means taking responsibility for a new life. Clare Egan, Longreads, 10 Aug. 2023 That's what you are born to do is procreate, to do this. Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 8 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'procreate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin procreatus, past participle of procreare, from pro- forth + creare to create — more at pro-, create

First Known Use

circa 1525, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of procreate was circa 1525

Dictionary Entries Near procreate

Cite this Entry

“Procreate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/procreate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

procreate

verb
pro·​cre·​ate ˈprō-krē-ˌāt How to pronounce procreate (audio)
procreated; procreating
: to bring forth offspring : reproduce

Medical Definition

procreate

verb
pro·​cre·​ate ˈprō-krē-ˌāt How to pronounce procreate (audio)
procreated; procreating

transitive verb

: to beget or bring forth (offspring) : propagate

intransitive verb

: to beget or bring forth offspring : reproduce

More from Merriam-Webster on procreate

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