procreations

Meanings

1. 1nounpluralformalbiology

   Acts or instances of producing young; the plural of procreation, used when talking about separate occasions or kinds of reproduction.

   Grammar: Plural form of an uncountable noun: the procreations of different species.

   Patterns

   • the procreations of something

   The study compared the procreations of several bird species over ten years.

   Ancient texts describe the procreations of gods and mortals in great detail.

   Repeated procreations within a small herd can reduce genetic variety.

2. 2nounpluralliteraryfigurative

   Creations or productions of new things, used in a figurative or literary way.

   Grammar: Used with a plural verb: these procreations are rare.

   Patterns

   • procreations of the mind

   The poet called his verses the procreations of a restless mind.

   Such procreations of the imagination rarely survive a harsh editor.

Word forms

Common combinations

human procreations

Human procreations have shaped the history of every settlement.

successive procreations

Successive procreations gave the farm a large herd.

procreations of the mind

He valued his poems as procreations of the mind.

natural procreations

Natural procreations occur only in the warmer months.

Synonyms and how they differ

breedings

Breedings suggests deliberate animal breeding, while procreations is wider and more formal.

reproductions

Reproductions is the usual scientific plural and also means copies, so it is less specific.

births

Births names the moment of being born, whereas procreations refers to the act of producing offspring.

Word family

procreation noun

the process of producing offspring

procreate verb

to produce young

procreative adjective

relating to producing young

procreator noun

a parent or begetter

Commonly confused: procreations or recreations?

Practice

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