# reproduction

/ˌɹipɹəˈdəkʃən/ (US) · /ɹɪpɹədˈʌkʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/reproduction
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. biological procreation

noun · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 2. a copy of an artwork

noun · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. the act of copying

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. quality of sound or image

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The book includes a high-quality reproduction of a famous painting.
- Scientists are studying the reproduction of coral reefs to help save them from rising ocean temperatures.
- Digital technology allows for the perfect reproduction of audio files without the loss of quality that occurred with older analog formats.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.