procreate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Technical (biological, legal), Literary
Quick answer
What does “procreate” mean?
To produce offspring.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To produce offspring; to reproduce.
To bring something new into existence through a generative act; can be used figuratively for ideas or art, though this is less common.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. Slight preference for 'reproduce' in American scientific texts.
Connotations
Formal, biological, sometimes perceived as cold or technical. Can have philosophical or religious undertones when discussing the purpose of life.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech in both varieties. More common in academic, legal, religious, and formal literary contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “procreate” in a Sentence
[Subject] procreates[Subject] procreates [with Object][Subject] procreates [Offspring] (rare, poetic)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “procreate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The fundamental right to procreate is protected by law.
- Many species will not procreate if environmental conditions are poor.
American English
- They made the conscious decision not to procreate.
- The study examined the desire to procreate in modern society.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in biology, anthropology, law, ethics, and philosophy discussions on reproduction and rights.
Everyday
Rare; considered a very formal or technical term. 'Have kids/babies' is preferred.
Technical
Standard term in biological sciences, reproductive medicine, and legal documents concerning parental rights.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “procreate”
- Using it transitively incorrectly (e.g., 'They procreated a child' – rare/poetic, not standard).
- Confusing with 'procrastinate'.
- Using in informal contexts where 'have children' is expected.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can be used for any organism, but when applied to humans, it carries a formal or technical tone. For animals, 'breed' or 'reproduce' is more common in non-scientific language.
The main noun is 'procreation'. The related adjective is 'procreative'.
It can, but its formal nature often distances it from emotional expression. Phrases like 'the joy of procreation' are used, but 'the joy of having children' is more warmly expressive.
It originates from Latin and entered English as a learned term. Everyday English prefers Germanic-based words like 'have' or phrases like 'start a family' for this intimate life event.
To produce offspring.
Procreate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈprəʊ.kri.eɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈproʊ.kri.eɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'PROfessional CREATion' – but for making babies. 'Pro-' (forward) + 'create' = to create forward in time (offspring).
Conceptual Metaphor
PROCREATION IS PRODUCTION (of new life).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'procreate' MOST appropriately used?