English Reference

Word

reproduction

Phoneticsre·pro·duc·tion, stress on the third syllable

US/ˌɹipɹəˈdəkʃən/

UK/ɹɪpɹədˈʌkʃən/

Definitions

01biological procreation

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Science

n. the natural process by which living things have babies or produce young plants.

n. the biological process by which new individual organisms are produced from their parents.

“The documentary explains how different fish species handle reproduction in the deep ocean.”

“The study focuses on the environmental factors that trigger sexual reproduction in certain species of coral during the summer months.”

Usage

Uncountable when referring to the general process; countable when referring to specific instances in research.

02a copy of an artwork

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a copy of a painting, piece of furniture, or other object that looks like the original.

n. a duplicate or copy of an original work, such as a painting or antique, often produced for commercial sale.

“I bought a cheap reproduction of a famous Van Gogh painting for my bedroom.”

“The museum shop sells high-quality reproductions of the most popular exhibits, printed on archival paper to ensure longevity.”

Usage

Countable in this sense.

Antonyms

03the act of copying

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Computing Technical

n. the act of making a copy of a sound, image, or document.

n. the process of recreating or duplicating sounds, images, or data through mechanical or digital means.

“The speakers provide excellent sound reproduction, making you feel like you are at a concert.”

“The software engineer asked for a clear set of steps for the reproduction of the bug before he could begin fixing the code.”

Usage

Often used in the context of audio quality or software testing.

04quality of sound or image

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Music Technical

n. how clearly a machine plays back sound or shows an image.

n. the fidelity or accuracy with which a system records or plays back audio or visual signals.

“The digital version offers much better color reproduction than the old film.”

“Audiophiles often argue that vinyl records provide a warmer sound reproduction than digital formats, despite the potential for surface noise.”

Usage

Uncountable in this sense.

Teaching tip

Often paired with 'faithful' or 'accurate' to describe high-quality equipment.

Synonyms

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “reproduction” in context.

Verb

01. facilitate the reproduction

“Warmer temperatures may facilitate the reproduction of certain invasive insect species.”

verb + noun

02. prohibit the reproduction

“Strict copyright laws prohibit the reproduction of this software without a valid license.”

verb + noun

Adjective

03. accurate reproduction

“Modern digital scanners allow for the accurate reproduction of delicate historical manuscripts.”

adj + noun

04. faithful reproduction

“The museum shop sells a faithful reproduction of the original Roman coin.”

adj + noun

05. sexual reproduction

“Most mammals rely on sexual reproduction to ensure genetic diversity within the species.”

adj + noun

Noun

06. means of reproduction

“The fungus uses spores as its primary means of reproduction in damp environments.”

noun + of + noun

07. rate of reproduction

“Biologists are concerned that the rate of reproduction for this bird species has dropped significantly.”

noun + of + noun

08. reproduction rights

“The artist retains the reproduction rights even after the original painting is sold.”

noun + noun

Real-World Examples

“This would seem to make them a likely host species to grow a cloned vaquita fetus, a feat that would require detailed knowledge of all aspects of the harbor porpoise’s anatomy and reproduction.”
Smithsonian Magazine 14 Aug 2026
“Their age suggests that animal movement and sexual reproduction began 5-10 million years earlier than previous evidence indicated.”
ScienceDaily 6 Aug 2026
“Heatwaves also severely disrupt reproduction, flight capacity and ability to forage .”
ScienceDaily 29 Jul 2026
“In eusocial colonies, reproduction is divided between queens and workers, creating highly cooperative societies with specialized roles.”
ScienceDaily 15 Aug 2026

Etymology

From re- + production.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

NOUN

reproduction(C1)

Domains

BiologyComputing

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
Frequency
Frequent
Level
C1 · AdvancedOxford
Updated

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English Reference