reproduce
ree-pruh-DYOOS
Reproduce (verb) means to make a copy of something, such as an image, document, or sound. Example: “The publisher needed permission to reproduce the photograph in the book.”
verb
1
To make a copy of something, such as an image, document, or sound.
"The publisher needed permission to reproduce the photograph in the book."
"This machine can reproduce a printed page in just a few seconds."
"Artists in the museum shop reproduce famous paintings as postcards."
2
To produce offspring, biologically.
"Rabbits reproduce at a remarkably fast rate."
"Many fish reproduce by laying thousands of tiny eggs in the water."
"Some plants reproduce without seeds, by sending out new shoots instead."
3
To bring about the same result again, such as recreating an error or effect.
"The developers couldn't reproduce the bug on their own machines."
"The engineer tried to reproduce the fault by following the customer's exact steps."
"If you can reproduce the crash every time, the fix will be much easier."
How to use reproduce
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo copy something, or to have offspring.
Common pairings
reproduce a document
reproduce a bug
ability to reproduce
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- reproduces
- Past tense
- reproduced
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The publisher needed permission to _____ the photograph in the book.
Etymology
From re- ("again") plus "produce," itself from Latin producere ("to bring forth").
Related words
Rhymes for reproduce
See all rhymes for reproduce →Frequently asked questions
What does “reproduce” mean?
The word “reproduce” means to make a copy of something, such as an image, document, or sound. In plain terms, to copy something, or to have offspring.
How do you pronounce “reproduce”?
“Reproduce” is pronounced ree-pruh-DYOOS (/ˌɹi.pɹəˈdus/ in IPA).
How do you use “reproduce” in a sentence?
Here is “reproduce” used in a sentence: “The publisher needed permission to reproduce the photograph in the book.”
What is another word for “reproduce”?
Words with a similar meaning to “reproduce” include manifold.
What part of speech is “reproduce”?
“Reproduce” is a verb.
Where does the word “reproduce” come from?
The word “reproduce” comes from Latin. From re- ("again") plus "produce," itself from Latin producere ("to bring forth").
Is “reproduce” a common word?
“Reproduce” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “reproduce” have?
“Reproduce” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make a copy of something, such as an image, document, or sound.
What is the difference between reproduce and replicate?
Reproduce is the broader term, covering copying an image, document, or sound, biological reproduction of offspring, and recreating a result such as an error. Replicate more narrowly emphasizes precisely repeating a process or experiment to confirm the same outcome occurs again.
Can reproduce mean something other than copying?
Yes, reproduce also means to produce offspring biologically, a sense used across biology when describing how organisms create new individuals of their kind. It can additionally mean bringing about the same result again, such as reproducing a software bug so it can be studied and fixed.
Why do developers ask users to 'reproduce' a bug?
Developers ask users to reproduce a bug because doing so means recreating the same error or effect under the same conditions, which helps confirm the problem is real and consistent rather than a one-off glitch. Being able to reproduce an issue is usually the first step toward diagnosing and fixing it.
