What does procreation mean?
Procreation is the formal word for the act or process of producing offspring. It can refer to reproduction in humans, animals, and other organisms, but it is especially common in discussions of human reproduction, religious teachings, marriage, and reproductive law. Unlike the broader word reproduction, which can also refer to copying objects or ideas, procreation normally implies the biological production of new living beings. The term may sound technical or formal, but it is not limited to scientific contexts; it is also widely used in religious and ethical debates about whether or how people should bring children into the world. Procreation is closely related etymologically to procreate, the verb meaning “to produce offspring,” and to the larger Latin family of words connected with creating or bringing forth.
nounThe act or process of producing offspring. The word is most often used in formal, religious, legal, or biological contexts.
- The act or process of producing offspring.
"The debate over reproductive technology has raised difficult questions about human procreation."
"Many religious traditions place restrictions on human procreation."
"Seasonal breeding is an important part of the procreation cycle of many animal species."
The plural is grammatical but rare; procreation is normally used as an uncountable noun.
"The scholar compared different forms of procreation across religious traditions."
Procreation comes from a Latin word meaning “to bring forth,” framing reproduction as the creation of new life.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does procreation come from?
The word entered English in the late Middle English period through Old French, which borrowed it from Latin procreatio, a noun meaning “a begetting” or “bringing forth.” Latin procreatio was formed from procreare, “to beget, produce, or bring forth,” itself related to the root creare, “to create.” The same Latin family supplied English words such as create, creature, creative, and procreate.
Related word forms
How procreation is actually used
Procreation is more formal than reproduction and is often used when discussing human reproduction, religious belief, law, or biology.