productive

adjective

pro·​duc·​tive prə-ˈdək-tiv How to pronounce productive (audio)
prō-
1
: having the quality or power of producing especially in abundance
productive fishing waters
2
: effective in bringing about
investigating committees have been productive of much goodR. K. Carr
3
a
: yielding results, benefits, or profits
b
: yielding or devoted to the satisfaction of wants or the creation of utilities
4
: continuing to be used in the formation of new words or constructions
un- is a productive prefix
5
: raising mucus or sputum (as from the bronchi)
a productive cough
productively adverb
productiveness noun

Examples of productive in a Sentence

I had a very productive day. I am most productive in the morning. Some staff members are more productive than others.
Recent Examples on the Web Overall, then, immigration appears to have been a big plus for U.S. economic growth, among other things expanding our productive capacity in a way that reduced the inflationary impact of Biden’s spending programs. Paul Krugman, The Mercury News, 22 Mar. 2024 Because filing official complaints with UNOS appears to accomplish zero productive oversight or reform. Laura Romero, ABC News, 21 Mar. 2024 That last point calls for the most up-to-date tech and cutting edge implementations that stand to make creative work more productive, namely by nixing as much busywork as possible. Jane Thier, Fortune, 18 Mar. 2024 Allen has topped 1,000 yards and 100 receptions in a single season five times each and is coming off his most productive year yet, despite missing the final four games because of a heel injury. Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024 Many forest managers could eventually face a choice: Consider moving southern trees into northern areas, or eventually wind up with fewer productive woodlands for timber and other uses. Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Mar. 2024 And when businesses support parents’ caregiving needs, those parents can become their most productive and profitable employees. Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 14 Mar. 2024 Meanwhile, Miller has rather cleverly figured out a healthy (and productive) way to satisfy his own addictive impulses. Katie Bain, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2024 His linemates will include young productive ends in Maxx Crosby, 26, and Malcolm Koonce. 25, who had 14.5 sacks and eight sacks last year, respectively. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'productive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of productive was in 1612

Dictionary Entries Near productive

Cite this Entry

“Productive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/productive. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

productive

adjective
pro·​duc·​tive prə-ˈdək-tiv How to pronounce productive (audio)
1
: having the power to produce plentifully
productive soil
productive fishing waters
2
: producing something
efforts productive of much good
3
: giving results
a productive meeting
productively adverb
productiveness noun

Medical Definition

productive

adjective
pro·​duc·​tive prə-ˈdək-tiv, prō- How to pronounce productive (audio)
: raising mucus or sputum (as from the bronchi)
a productive cough

More from Merriam-Webster on productive

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