productive
adjective
pro·duc·tive
prə-ˈdək-tiv 
prō-
1
: having the quality or power of producing especially in abundance
productive fishing waters
2
: effective in bringing about
investigating committees have been productive of much good—
R. K. Carr
R. K. Carr3
a
: yielding results, benefits, or profits
b
: yielding or devoted to the satisfaction of wants or the creation of utilities
4
: continuing to be used in the formation of new words or constructions
un- is a productive prefix
5
: raising mucus or sputum (as from the bronchi)
a productive cough
productively
adverb
productiveness
noun
Examples of productive in a Sentence
I had a very productive day.
I am most productive in the morning.
Some staff members are more productive than others.
Recent Examples on the Web
Nor can discussions be productive without acknowledging the existence of both parties’ perspectives.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
The pandemic taught companies that employees working at home could still be productive.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 31 May 2025
After All Despite that fact, the 28-year-old cornerback was very productive in seven games last season.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
Grasses growing in the shade of a solar array were only a little less productive than those growing nearby in open grassland during years of average and above-average rainfall – but in a dry year, the shaded plants grew much better than those growing in full sun.
—Matthew Sturchio, The Conversation, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for productive
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
The pandemic taught companies that employees working at home could still be productive.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 31 May 2025
After All Despite that fact, the 28-year-old cornerback was very productive in seven games last season.
—Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
Grasses growing in the shade of a solar array were only a little less productive than those growing nearby in open grassland during years of average and above-average rainfall – but in a dry year, the shaded plants grew much better than those growing in full sun.
—Matthew Sturchio, The Conversation, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for productive
Cite this Entry
“Productive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/productive. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
productive
adjective
pro·duc·tive
prə-ˈdək-tiv
1
: having the power to produce plentifully
productive soil
productive fishing waters
2
: producing something
efforts productive of much good
3
: giving results
a productive meeting
productively
adverb
productiveness
noun
Medical Definition
productive
adjective
pro·duc·tive
prə-ˈdək-tiv, prō-
: raising mucus or sputum (as from the bronchi)
a productive cough
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