First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1spawn
verb \ˈspȯn, ˈspän\
: to produce or lay eggs in water
: to cause (something) to develop or begin : to produce or create (something)
Full Definition of SPAWN
intransitive verb
1
: to deposit or fertilize spawn
2
: to produce young especially in large numbers
transitive verb
1
a : to produce or deposit (eggs) —used of an aquatic animal b : to induce (fish) to spawn c : to plant with mushroom spawn
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Origin of SPAWN
Middle English, from Anglo-French espandre to spread out, shed, scatter, spawn, from Latin expandere to expand
2spawn
noun
: the eggs of a fish or frog
Full Definition of SPAWN
1
: the eggs of aquatic animals (as fishes or oysters) that lay many small eggs
3
: the seed, germ, or source of something
4
: mycelium especially prepared (as in bricks) for propagating mushrooms
See spawn defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SPAWN
15th century
Other Zoology Terms
SPAWNING Defined for Kids
1spawn
verb \ˈspȯn\
spawnedspawn·ing
Definition of SPAWN for Kids
: to produce or deposit a large number of eggs <Salmon swim up rivers to spawn.>
2spawn
noun
Definition of SPAWN for Kids
: the many small eggs of an animal (as a fish or frog) that are deposited in water
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