procreate

verb

pro·​cre·​ate ˈprō-krē-ˌāt 

procreated; procreating

transitive verb

: to beget or bring forth (offspring) : propagate

intransitive verb

: to beget or bring forth offspring : reproduce

procreation

ˌprō-krē-ˈā-shən 

noun

procreative

ˈprō-krē-ˌā-tiv 

adjective

procreator

ˈprō-krē-ˌā-tər 

noun

Synonyms

• breed
• multiply
• propagate
• reproduce

Examples of procreate in a Sentence

Animals have a natural instinct to procreate.

the common perception that our Puritan forebears procreated more out of a sense of duty than from desire

Recent Examples on the Web

Here are a few pros and cons of making the decision not to procreate and raise a child. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024

Governments have responded with pleas and incentives to encourage families to procreate. —Angela Saini, WIRED, 29 Dec. 2024

As soon as the earth starts to shake, the pupfish dive to the depths of Devils Hole, with each male chasing a female pupfish to procreate as soon as physically possible. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024

Likewise, how orcs procreate is not discussed anywhere in The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit, but is mentioned almost as an aside in The Silmarillion. —Caitlin Penzeymoog, Vox, 7 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin procreatus, past participle of procreare, from pro- forth + creare to create — more at pro-, create

First Known Use

circa 1525, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

procreate

verb

pro·​cre·​ate ˈprō-krē-ˌāt 

procreated; procreating

: to bring forth offspring : reproduce

Medical Definition

procreate

verb

pro·​cre·​ate ˈprō-krē-ˌāt 

procreated; procreating

transitive verb

: to beget or bring forth (offspring) : propagate

intransitive verb

: to beget or bring forth offspring : reproduce