reproduction

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'reproduction' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the process of making copies of something, or to the creation of offspring through sexual reproduction. For example: "The reproduction of this artwork requires the highest level of precision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In 1919, he pencilled a goatee on to a reproduction of Leonardo's Mona Lisa.

The Guardian - Arts

One of the rare domestic pictures shows a striker's home, the tattooed miner with his feet up by the fire, his pre-teenage son reading a pamphlet called How your benefit is worked out, his wife watching Arthur Scargill on the TV, with a reproduction of Constable's Hay Wain on one wall opposite a poster of Marx with his quote "Philosophers have only interpreted the world; the point is to change it".

The Guardian

It was unclear whether the plan included a rose garden or a reproduction of the first lady's vegetable garden.

The Guardian

Oral contraception flips these responses altogether; no longer ovulating at all, women prefer a masculine face, presumably because once the demands of reproduction are taken out of the equation, considerations such as cooperation are no longer so important (the Daily Mail reported this at the time as "Pill To Make You Fancy Russell Crowe").

The Guardian - Film

If your plant has flowered for the first time after five or six years, it's worth collecting the seeds because you have diversity from all that sexual reproduction.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Also for sale is a huge reproduction of Gilbert Stuart's 1796 portrait of George Washington, which hangs in the National Portrait Gallery.

The Guardian

It has to do with liberty and freedom, the basic principles of democracy that modern-day Republicans defend day in and day out – as long as it doesn't have to do with sex or reproduction.

The Guardian - Opinion

The report stated the wastewater discharge is potentially impairing the reproduction of sensitive invertebrate and algal species, including a species of water flea and freshwater green algae.

The Guardian

Characters reveal themselves through dialogue, but dialogue is not necessarily a verbatim reproduction of everyday speech, even though it might approximate to it.

The Guardian

One part, for example, examines a photograph of an IRA volunteer holding a rifle against the backdrop of a burning street and its subsequent reproduction on merchandise including Christmas stockings.The shortlisted artists have striking similarities.

The Economist

The reason why repairs are not perfect is that they are costly and resources invested in them might be used for reproduction instead.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing biological processes, use "reproduction" to refer to the creation of new organisms. When discussing copies of existing works, specify the type of "reproduction", such as "photographic reproduction" or "digital reproduction".

Common error

Avoid using "reproduction" when you mean "production". "Reproduction" refers to making copies or offspring, while "production" refers to creating or manufacturing something new.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "reproduction" is as a noun, referring to the process of creating new individuals or copies. Ludwig AI identifies its usage in various contexts, from biological processes to artistic copies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reproduction" is a versatile noun with two primary meanings: the biological process of creating offspring and the act of making copies. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal writing. While synonyms like "procreation" and "replication" exist, "reproduction" maintains a broad applicability. To use it effectively, be mindful of the specific context and avoid confusion with similar terms like "production". With its widespread use and clear definition, "reproduction" remains an essential term for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

procreation

Focuses specifically on the biological process of generating offspring.

replication

Emphasizes the act of creating exact copies, often in a scientific or technical context.

copying

A more general term referring to the act of making a duplicate.

breeding

Relates specifically to the propagation of animals or plants.

propagation

Implies spreading or increasing something, often used in the context of plants or ideas.

duplication

Similar to replication, but can also refer to creating non-identical copies.

generation

Highlights the act of producing something new, particularly in a biological sense.

multiplication

Refers to increasing in number, often used in mathematics or biology.

cloning

Specifically refers to creating genetically identical copies.

proliferation

Implies a rapid increase or spread.

FAQs

How is the term "reproduction" used in biology?

In biology, "reproduction" refers to the process by which new individual organisms – "offspring" – are produced from their "parents". It's a fundamental feature of all known life.

What does "reproduction" mean in the context of art?

In art, "reproduction" refers to a copy of an artwork, such as a painting or sculpture. These can range from high-quality replicas to simple prints.

When should I use "procreation" instead of "reproduction"?

While "procreation" and "reproduction" are similar, "procreation" typically emphasizes the natural or biological aspect of creating offspring, whereas "reproduction" can also refer to making copies of non-living things.

What are some common types of "reproduction" in biology?

Common types of "reproduction" include sexual "reproduction", which involves the combination of genetic material from two parents, and asexual "reproduction", which involves a single parent producing offspring.