What does "spawn" mean?
The numerous eggs of an aquatic organism.
Spawn
/spɔn/ name, noun, verb
name, noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The numerous eggs of an aquatic organism.
- Grammar: spawn is listed as name, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: albumen, bear, beget, birthed.
- Useful contrasts: adult, cease reproduction, consequence.
- Usage evidence: What might a planet need to spawn life?
How to use "spawn"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "spawn" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "spawn" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "spawn" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "spawn" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "spawn" is acting as name, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "albumen" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "spawn", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The numerous eggs of an aquatic organism. countable, uncountable
- 2 the mass of eggs deposited by fish or amphibians or molluscs wordnet
- 3 Mushroom mycelium prepared for (aided) propagation. countable, uncountable
- 4 Any germ or seed, even a figurative source. countable, uncountable
"This dreadful idea is the spawn of a large business conglomerate."
- 5 Any germ or seed, even a figurative source.; Children; offspring. countable, derogatory, often, uncountable
"Even the blithely unselfconscious Homer is more than a little freaked out by West’s private reverie, and encourages his spawn to move slowly away without making eye contact with the crazy man."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 The buds or branches produced from underground stems. countable, uncountable
- 7 Synonym of spawn point. countable, uncountable
Verb
- 1 To produce or deposit (eggs) in water. transitive
"A frog spawns thousands of tadpoles every year."
- 2 lay spawn wordnet
- 3 To generate, bring into being, especially non-mammalian beings in very large numbers. transitive
- 4 call forth wordnet
- 5 To bring forth in general. transitive
"The web server spawns a new process to handle each client's request."
Show 7 more definitions
- 6 To induce (aquatic organisms) to spawn. transitive
- 7 To plant with fungal spawn. transitive
- 8 To deposit (numerous) eggs in water. intransitive
"Alewives are anadromous fish: Born in freshwater, they spend their lives in the ocean, returning annually to their birthplaces to spawn."
- 9 To reproduce, especially in large numbers. intransitive
- 10 To appear, or cause (something or someone) to appear, spontaneously in a game world at a particular place and time. ergative
"We put down torches to stop creepers from spawning."
- 11 To appear, or cause (something or someone) to appear, unexpectedly and seemingly out of nowhere. Internet, ergative, figuratively
"Where did he come from? Bro just spawned in."
- 12 Of a person or non-egg-laying animal: to be born. Internet, figuratively, humorous, intransitive
"That kid just spawned and looks like he's already done with life."
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
Antonyms
Example
"What might a planet need to spawn life?"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "spawn"?
Common synonyms include: albumen, bear, beget, birthed, breed, breed.
How do you use "spawn" in a sentence?
What might a planet need to spawn life?
How do you pronounce "spawn"?
Pronounced /spɔn/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
Recorded since 1413; from Middle English spawnen, from Anglo-Norman espaundre, from Old French espandre, from Latin expandere (“stretch out; spread out”, verb). Doublet of expand. Compare also Middle English spalden, spolden, spawden (“to cut open (a fish)”).
Etymology 2
From Middle English spawne, from the verb (see above).