reproduction

noun

re·​pro·​duc·​tion ˌrē-prə-ˈdək-shən How to pronounce reproduction (audio)
Synonyms of reproductionnext
1
: the act or process of reproducing
specifically : the process by which plants and animals give rise to offspring and which fundamentally consists of the segregation of a portion of the parental body by a sexual or an asexual process and its subsequent growth and differentiation into a new individual
2
: something reproduced : copy
3
: young seedling trees in a forest

Synonyms of reproduction

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reproduction, duplicate, copy, facsimile, replica mean a thing made to closely resemble another.

reproduction implies an exact or close imitation of an existing thing.

reproductions from the museum's furniture collection

duplicate implies a double or counterpart exactly corresponding to another thing.

a duplicate of a house key

copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically.

printed 1000 copies of the lithograph

facsimile suggests a close reproduction often of graphic matter that may differ in scale.

a facsimile of a rare book

replica implies the exact reproduction of a particular item in all details

a replica of the Mayflower

but not always in the same scale.

miniature replicas of classic cars

Examples of reproduction in a Sentence

the mass reproduction of fine art a reproduction of the painting
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
For scholars of that mindset, all reference to precedent—any precedent, either natural or artificial—is mediated by modern technologies of mechanical reproduction, and by an awareness of their ubiquitous sway. — Mario Carpo, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026 Circled by a verdant reproduction of an enchanted forest, and dressed in a black swan-like two-piece by Ann Demeulemeester, Zardoya held the audience captive with her purring soprano and vampy stare. — Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026 This does not mean, however, that zebra mussels — notorious for their prolific reproduction and destruction of ecosystems and infrastructure — are gone from the basin or that the battle to curb their spread is over. — The Summit Daily, Denver Post, 26 Aug. 2026 The roughly 25-acre farm is also home to a reproduction of the Salem Village Meeting House, the site of many early hearings about the Salem witchcraft hysteria. — Nicholas Derenzo, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for reproduction

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1640, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of reproduction was circa 1640

Phrases Containing reproduction

Rhymes for reproduction

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Browse Nearby Words

reproducing tube
reproduction
reproduction cost
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Cite this Entry

“Reproduction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reproduction. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

reproduction

noun
re·​pro·​duc·​tion ˌrē-prə-ˈdək-shən How to pronounce reproduction (audio)
1
: the act or process of reproducing
especially : the process by which plants and animals produce offspring
2
: something reproduced : copy

Medical Definition

reproduction

noun
re·​pro·​duc·​tion ˌrē-prə-ˈdək-shən How to pronounce reproduction (audio)
: the act or process of reproducing
specifically : the process by which plants and animals give rise to offspring and which fundamentally consists of the segregation of a portion of the parental body by a sexual or an asexual process and its subsequent growth and differentiation into a new individual

More from Merriam-Webster on reproduction

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about reproduction

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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