reproduction
B2Formal / Academic / Technical / Neutral
Definition
Meaning
The process of generating offspring or producing new individuals of the same species.
The action or process of copying something, such as an artwork, sound recording, or document; a copy or replica.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Has a primary biological meaning (sexual/asexual reproduction) and a secondary cultural/technological meaning (making copies). In art, can connote a lower-quality copy versus an 'original'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. Spelling within derivatives follows regional norms (e.g., BrE 'reproduce', AmE also 'reproduce').
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both academic and general contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
reproduction of [NOUN PHRASE]reproduction by [MEANS/ORGANISM]reproduction in [CONTEXT/SPECIES]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[none directly associated]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to the copying of documents or marketing materials. 'We need high-fidelity reproductions of the brochure.'
Academic
Central in biology, sociology (social reproduction), and art history. 'The paper examines factors affecting bacterial reproduction rates.'
Everyday
Often used for copies of art or furniture. 'It's not an antique, just a reproduction.'
Technical
Precise biological process or high-fidelity audio/visual copying technology. 'The system allows for lossless digital reproduction.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The bacteria reproduce rapidly in warm conditions.
- The gallery does not permit reproducing these photographs.
American English
- The document was reproduced for the court filing.
- Deer reproduce in the spring.
adverb
British English
- [Not commonly derived]
American English
- [Not commonly derived]
adjective
British English
- She bought a reproduction Victorian chair.
- The museum shop sells reproduction prints.
American English
- It's a reproduction poster of the original film.
- They used reproduction furniture for the period film.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The picture in the book is a reproduction of a famous painting.
- The documentary showed the reproduction cycle of butterflies.
- Is that an original or a reproduction?
- Human reproduction is a complex biological process.
- Modern technology allows for perfect digital reproduction of sound.
- The essay critiques Walter Benjamin's concept of the artwork in the age of mechanical reproduction.
- The study focused on the social reproduction of inequality across generations.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RE-PRODUCTION. It's either producing again (making a copy) or producing new life (biological offspring).
Conceptual Metaphor
COPYING IS REBIRTH (making a new version of something old); BIOLOGICAL REPRODUCTION IS A FACTORY (producing new units).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'производство' (manufacturing/production) in non-biological contexts. For copies, 'воспроизведение' is closer. Biological 'reproduction' is strictly 'размножение'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'reproduction' to mean general 'production' (e.g., 'the reproduction of cars' is wrong). Confusing 'reproduction' (process) with 'copy' (product).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'reproduction' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, not always. While often implying a copy, technological reproductions (e.g., high-resolution scans) can be indistinguishable or even enhance accessibility. The value judgement depends on context.
'Reproduction' often emphasizes the *process* or result of making something anew, especially in biology and art. 'Copy' is more general and product-focused, commonly used for documents and everyday items.
The related verb is 'reproduce.' 'Reproduction' itself is primarily a noun, though it can be used attributively as an adjective (e.g., reproduction furniture).
It's a sociological concept referring to how societies perpetuate social structures, inequalities, and cultural norms across generations, not through biology but through institutions like family and education.
Collections
Part of a collection
Social Theory
C1 · 47 words · Advanced vocabulary for sociology and social science.