reproductive

1 of 2

adjective

re·​pro·​duc·​tive ˌrē-prə-ˈdək-tiv How to pronounce reproductive (audio)
: of, relating to, or capable of reproduction
highly reproductive wild geese
reproductively adverb

reproductive

2 of 2

noun

: an actual or potential parent
specifically : a sexually functional social insect

Examples of reproductive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
That means the contraceptive debate and struggle over progress on reproductive healthcare is likely to return to the Statehouse next year. Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Mar. 2024 And most voters think reproductive health care in general should be easier to access, including 62 percent of all voters and 53 percent of Republicans who think fertility planning like IVF should be easier to access, according to a Navigator poll from Feb. 15-19. Monica Potts, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2024 That slows breeding among the squirrels, whose natural reproductive rate is already low. Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 19 Mar. 2024 Menopausal species of whales have a similar reproductive period to non-menopausal species. Fox News, 15 Mar. 2024 Lack of understanding of the science and facts behind reproductive health have led to terrible consequences and the dismantling of reproductive rights. Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024 Smaller females are having fewer young Understanding reproductive patterns is essential for supporting species that are critically endangered. Joshua Reed, The Conversation, 13 Mar. 2024 Harris visited South Mountain Community Center in Phoenix on Friday to attend a rally supporting reproductive freedom. Hayleigh Evans, The Arizona Republic, 9 Mar. 2024 The decision has left states to draw up their own rules about reproductive health care. Anisa Arsenault, Verywell Health, 8 Mar. 2024
Noun
There's so much work to do as the House Republican Conference chair, as the reproductive for New York's 21st congressional district. Nbc Universal, NBC News, 7 Jan. 2024 And growing evidence suggests high exposure to microplastics (and the lengthy list of chemicals they’re made from) could provoke immune and stress responses, along with various reproductive, metabolic, and behavioral issues. Ali Francis, Bon Appétit, 15 Sep. 2023 Planning of any kind, including reproductive, is uncommon for those in the grind of homelessness. Gale Holland, Anchorage Daily News, 17 July 2022 Human reproductive cloning is widely prohibited, but therapeutic cloning — creating stem cells that are a genetic match to the patient — is more generally accepted because the cells are used to treat disease. Grace Halden, Discover Magazine, 20 Feb. 2015 An enzyme called telomerase maintains telomeres in our reproductive and stem cells but not in the rest of the body. Susan Karlin, Discover Magazine, 11 June 2010 Salem, for instance, has adopted an ordinance to shield patients and providers of legal reproductive and gender-affirming health care from prosecution in other states. Stephanie Ebbert, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Nov. 2022 Even something that innocuous could be at risk in the march to strip away women’s reproductive and privacy rights. Ann Killion, San Francisco Chronicle, 6 May 2022 Researchers were also concerned that experimenting on reproductive-aged females would hurt their fertility. Afton Vechery, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2021

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

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1746, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1932, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reproductive was in 1746

Dictionary Entries Near reproductive

Cite this Entry

“Reproductive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reproductive. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

reproductive

adjective
re·​pro·​duc·​tive
ˌrē-prə-ˈdək-tiv
: of, relating to, or capable of reproduction

Medical Definition

reproductive

adjective
re·​pro·​duc·​tive ˌrē-prə-ˈdək-tiv How to pronounce reproductive (audio)
: of, relating to, functioning in, or capable of reproduction
reproductive organs
reproductively adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on reproductive

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