spawned; spawning; spawns
1
: to deposit or fertilize spawn
Adults of both species typically move seaward after spawning.—Stephen L. Stone et al.
The female leaves her territory to spawn in one or more males' prepared nests.—Sea Frontiers
2
: to produce young especially in large numbers
Because those tuna spawn in large concentrations within small areas of the Western Mediterranean, they are vulnerable to overfishing.—Jared Diamond
3
: to be generated and appear in a video game
The enemies spawn randomly as you move through the level, which keeps things interesting but can make for some seriously tricky situations …—Morgan Sleeper
1
a
: to produce or deposit (eggs)
—used of an aquatic animal
… spiny lobsters spend each summer spawning eggs before retreating to deeper waters for the winter.—Jim Carlton
b
: to induce (fish) to spawn
Marine biologists have moved a step closer to their goal of restocking white sea bass along coastal waters by successfully spawning the fish …—Glenn Burkins
c
: to plant with mushroom spawn
Drilling and spawning more holes will not produce more mushrooms, but it will speed up the colonization process for earlier fruiting.—Tradd Cotter
2
: bring forth, generate
The idea spawned controversy.
Could the flap of a butterfly's wings over Brazil spawn a tornado over Texas?—Richard Monastersky
… the game spawns enemies at different points every time, encouraging multiple playthroughs …—Paddy Reilly
spawner
noun
plural spawners
The steelhead is a spring spawner; coho and chinook spawn in fall.
—Nelson Bryant
Cite this Entry
“Spawn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spawn. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
