procreate

1 of 2

verb

pro·​cre·​ate ˈprō-krē-ˌāt How to pronounce procreate (audio)
procreated; procreating
Synonyms of procreatenext

transitive verb

: to beget or bring forth (offspring) : propagate

intransitive verb

: to beget or bring forth offspring : reproduce
procreation
ˌprō-krē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce procreate (audio)
noun
procreative
ˈprō-krē-ˌā-tiv How to pronounce procreate (audio)
adjective
procreator
ˈprō-krē-ˌā-tər How to pronounce procreate (audio)
noun

procreator

2 of 2

noun

pro·​cre·​ator |ə(r) How to pronounce procreator (audio)
: one that procreates

Synonyms of procreate

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Verb

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Examples of procreate in a Sentence

Verb 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Tate called for women to be stripped of the vote, barred from the workplace, and forced to procreate. — Heidi Blake, New Yorker, 8 June 2026 In the summer, mountain pine beetles emerge from the now-dead tree in which they were born and seek a new tree nearby to procreate and lay eggs. — Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 22 Dec. 2025 That means there’s no need to acknowledge a shift in younger generations’ desire to procreate. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 2 Apr. 2026 But Sussman asks why recent data suggests that even poor women are growing more reluctant to procreate. — Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for procreate

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun

Latin, from procreatus, past participle of procreare to procreate + -or

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1525, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of procreate was circa 1525

Rhymes for procreate

See All Rhymes for procreate

Browse Nearby Words

procreant
procreate
procreational
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Procreate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/procreate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

procreate

verb
pro·​cre·​ate ˈprō-krē-ˌāt How to pronounce procreate (audio)
procreated; procreating
: to bring forth offspring : reproduce

Medical Definition

procreate

verb
pro·​cre·​ate ˈprō-krē-ˌāt How to pronounce procreate (audio)
procreated; procreating

transitive verb

: to beget or bring forth (offspring) : propagate

intransitive verb

: to beget or bring forth offspring : reproduce

More from Merriam-Webster on procreate

Nglish: Translation of procreate for Spanish Speakers

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