offspring
noun
off·spring
ˈȯf-ˌspriŋ 
plural offspring also offsprings
1
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
Anthony Hopkins2
b
: offshoot sense 1a
… you can hear this Caribbean club music, a hard-edged and party-heavy offspring of reggae …—Lorraine Ali
Lorraine AliExamples 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
Schaus’ swallowtails, like many of the insects that Zimmerman studies, have many offspring, and their populations can balloon under the right conditions.
—Marina Wang, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2025
For instance, mammals with more friends typically live longer lives and have more offspring.
—Conner Philson, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2025
Lizard and Snake Gestation Periods: 12 Months Most snakes don’t have long gestation periods, but northern copperheads can be pregnant for up to nine months, and could give birth to up to 10 offspring.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 27 Mar. 2025
Perhaps a global expectations gap has opened, destabilizing politics and giving rise to its toxic offspring, anti-politics.
—Moisés Naím, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for offspring
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Marina Wang, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2025
For instance, mammals with more friends typically live longer lives and have more offspring.
—Conner Philson, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2025
Lizard and Snake Gestation Periods: 12 Months Most snakes don’t have long gestation periods, but northern copperheads can be pregnant for up to nine months, and could give birth to up to 10 offspring.
—Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 27 Mar. 2025
Perhaps a global expectations gap has opened, destabilizing politics and giving rise to its toxic offspring, anti-politics.
—Moisés Naím, The Atlantic, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for offspring
Cite this Entry
“Offspring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/offspring. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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