breeding (ˈbriːdɪŋ
)
Definitions
noun
- the process of bearing offspring; reproduction
- the process of producing plants or animals by sexual reproduction
- the result of good training, esp the knowledge of correct social behaviour; refinement ⇒
a man of breeding
- a person's line of descent ⇒
his breeding was suspect
- physics a process occurring in a nuclear reactor as a result of which more fissionable material is produced than is used up
Synonyms
View thesaurus entrybreed (briːd)
Definitions
verb
Word forms: breeds, breeding, bred
- to bear (offspring)
- (tr) to bring up; raise
- to produce or cause to produce by mating; propagate
- to produce and maintain new or improved strains of (domestic animals and plants)
- to produce or be produced; generate ⇒
to breed trouble
violence breeds in densely populated areas
noun
- a group of organisms within a species, esp a group of domestic animals, originated and maintained by man and having a clearly defined set of characteristics
- a lineage or race ⇒
a breed of Europeans
- a kind, sort, or group ⇒
a special breed of hatred
Word Origin
Old English brēdan, of Germanic origin; related to broodQuotations
"You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear"
Usage examples
The birds wander in search of areas where rain has fallen and are triggered into breeding condition when such an area is located.
, SPIX'S MACAW: The Race to Save the World's Rarest Bird (2002)Read more Royal Roses Rose growers have often marked landmarks in the Queen's history by breeding a new variety of her favourite flower.
Country Life (2004)Additional revenue can also be earned in retirement from breeding.
Irish Times (2002)He stuck to breeding traditional cattle in the hope that the tide would turn.
Glasgow Herald (2002)Bert and Gwen knew of my interest in moving on to breeding dogs.
, THE DOG LISTENER: Learning the Language of your Best Friend (2002)