What does procreated mean?
Procreated is the past tense and past participle of the formal verb procreate. Its primary meaning is to bring offspring into existence through sexual reproduction, as in a statement that a couple procreated several children. It can also be used figuratively for the creation of something new, although the biological sense is dominant. The word is encountered more often in literature, historical writing, religious texts, formal biographies, and discussions of family or species reproduction than in ordinary conversation. In everyday speech, speakers are generally more likely to say “had children,” “reproduced,” or “gave birth to.” Procreated belongs to a family of words derived from the Latin procreare, including procreation and procreator. Its formal character and connection with the origins of life make it especially useful when discussing ancestry, creation, continuity between generations, or the expansion of a population.
verbProcreated is the past tense and past participle of procreate, meaning to bring offspring into existence by sexual reproduction or to cause something to come into being.
- Brought offspring into existence by sexual reproduction; caused offspring or a new generation to come into being.
"The couple procreated three children and raised them in the countryside."
"The couple procreated three children and raised them in the countryside."
"In the story, Adam and Eve procreated children and multiplied."
More formal than simply “had children,” procreated gives the act of bringing offspring into being an almost ceremonial or historical tone.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does procreated come from?
The English verb comes from Latin procreare, formed from pro- (“forward” or “forth”) and creare (“to create” or “bring into being”). The Latin word was associated with producing offspring and was carried into English with a long history in biological, legal, religious, and literary usage. Related English words such as create, creation, creative, and creature ultimately derive from the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How procreated is actually used
Relatively uncommon and more formal or literary than everyday alternatives such as “had children.” It is usually used in biological, familial, religious, historical, or figurative contexts.
Easily confused with procreated
Procreated refers to producing offspring or causing something to come into being, whereas procured means to obtain or secure something.