Etymologically
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product

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 15 October 2026 at 19:30. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA: UK /ˈprɒd.ʌkt/, US /ˈprɑː.dʌkt/[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English product,[2] borrowed from Medieval Latin prōductum,[3][4] in classical Latin “something produced”, the noun use of the neuter past participle of prōdūcere (“to bring forth”),[3][4] the source of produce.[4][5] Barnhart thinks it may have been influenced by an earlier adjective product, “produced”, from before 1398.[4][6]

Earliest recorded meaning

In mathematics, the quantity obtained by multiplying numbers: about 1430,[6] about 1450 in Barnhart,[4] the early 15th century in Etymonline.[3]

Semantic evolution

The general sense, that which is produced by any action or work, is from 1575,[4][3][6] and a thing produced by nature from 1653.[6] A consequence or effect is from 1651.[6] In chemistry a compound formed by a reaction is from 1805.[6] In political economy, what is made commercially for sale is by 1890,[3] and the total value of goods produced, as in gross national product, from 1888.[6] Johnson (1755) gave first “something produced, as fruits, grain, metals”.[7]

Timeline

  • before 1398 – adjective, produced.[6]
  • c. 1430 – the product of a multiplication.[6]
  • 1575 – anything produced.[4][6]
  • 1651 – a consequence.[6]
  • 1805 – in chemistry, the result of a reaction.[6]
  • 1890 – goods made for sale.[3]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. Something made by people or machines, or by a natural process, especially for sale.
  2. A result or consequence: the product of years of work.
  3. (chemistry) A substance formed in a chemical reaction.
  4. (mathematics) The number obtained by multiplying two or more numbers.

Word family

  • by-product
  • productive
  • coproduct
  • multiproduct
  • photoproduct
  • subproduct
  • product line
  • product placement

Usage notes

A separate product, from 1720, is a corrupt form of pratique, clearance given to a ship.[6][2]

References

  1. ^ Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
  2. ^ a b Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  3. ^ a b c d e f Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
  5. ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  7. ^ Johnson, Samuel (1755), A Dictionary of the English Language, London; 4th ed. 1773; Johnson's Dictionary Online, ed. Beth Rapp Young et al.