offspring

noun

off·​spring ˈȯf-ˌspriŋ 

plural offspring also offsprings

1

a

: the product of the reproductive processes of a person, animal, or plant : young, progeny

The disease can be transmitted from parent to offspring.

b

: the immediate descendant of a person or animal : an individual born of a parent

gave birth to a single offspring

"… He was becoming irascible as well, impatient—with me especially, because I was his only offspring [=child]. …"

—Anthony Hopkins

2

a

: product, result

… scholarly manuscripts—the labored offsprings of PhDs …

—Donna Martin

… the substitution of the typewriter and its offspring for the author's own hand.

—Jacques Barzun

b

: offshoot sense 1a

… you can hear this Caribbean club music, a hard-edged and party-heavy offspring of reggae …

—Lorraine Ali

Synonyms

• fruit
• get
• issue
• posterity
• progeny
• seed
• spawn

Examples of offspring in a Sentence

The show is about two couples and the adventures of their rebellious offspring.

The colt is the offspring of two racing champions.

Recent Examples on the Web

Lurking within the various plotlines is a critique of the greed and selfishness baked into Baby Boomers and Gen X, who used up the planet’s resources without concern for the fallout faced by their offspring. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 28 Jan. 2025

While male panthers roam far and freely, females travel less, choosing to stay with their offspring, researchers say. —Natalia Jaramillo, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2025

Vittorio began the research and development stage with a belief that Lost & Found is a niche industry that only a few types of customers are aware of – think forgetful individuals, travelers, or parents of raucous, energetic offspring. —Ethan Stone, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025

Those offspring had offspring of their own, and more than two dozen Niegos or Collins or McNamaras or Pozdols are involved in sports. —Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ofspring, from Old English, from of off + springan to spring

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

offspring

noun

off·​spring ˈȯf-ˌspriŋ 

plural offspring also offsprings

: the young of a person, animal, or plant

Medical Definition

offspring

noun

off·​spring ˈȯf-ˌspriŋ 

plural offspring also offsprings

: the progeny of an animal or plant : young