What does surrogate mean?
A surrogate is something or someone that stands in for another. The word can refer to a temporary replacement, such as a substitute employee; a person appointed to act on behalf of someone unable to represent themselves; or an organism carrying genetic material originating from another organism. In reproductive contexts, a surrogate parent carries and gives birth to a child for people intending to become parents. As an adjective, surrogate describes something serving as a replacement or connected with such an arrangement. As a verb, to surrogate means to act in place of another person, though this use is comparatively formal and uncommon. The word is especially useful when the replacement has a special technical or legal role rather than merely filling an ordinary vacancy.
A person, thing, organism, or other entity that acts in place of another.
"The surrogate appeared before the tribunal on behalf of the absent claimant."
Specialized meanings include a person carrying a pregnancy for intended parents and an organism or cell containing genetic material from another organism.
Serving as a replacement for, or relating to a person or thing that does so.
"The researchers used a surrogate cell to introduce the corrected gene."
The adjective is especially common in legal, reproductive, and biological usage.
To act or stand in for someone or something.
"No one else can surrogate for the director at tomorrow's hearing."
This use is relatively uncommon and often sounds formal.
The plural is used for people or things that serve as substitutes.
"The court recognized the two surrogates as temporary legal guardians."
A surrogate can stand in for a person, carry another organism's genetic material, or even substitute for a missing part in a machine.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does surrogate come from?
The word comes from Latin, where surrogare meant to substitute or put in place of another, and its past participle surrogatus was used as a noun meaning a substitute. English borrowed the term during the late Middle English period. The Latin verb was formed from sur-, meaning over, and rogare, meaning to ask or petition, with the original sense involving substitution by agreement or appointment.
Related word forms
How surrogate is actually used
The noun and adjective are commonly used in legal, reproductive, biological, and technological contexts. In legal usage, a surrogate may act on another person's behalf; in reproductive usage, the term usually refers to a gestational parent. As a verb, it is less common and can sound formal or legalistic.