breed
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to produce (offspring); procreate; engender.
-
to produce by mating; propagate sexually; reproduce.
Ten mice were bred in the laboratory.
-
Horticulture.
-
to cause to reproduce by controlled pollination.
-
to improve by controlled pollination and selection.
-
-
to raise (cattle, sheep, etc.).
He breeds longhorns on the ranch.
-
to cause or be the source of; engender; give rise to.
Dirt breeds disease. Stagnant water breeds mosquitoes.
-
to develop by training or education; bring up; rear.
He was born and bred a gentleman.
-
Energy. to produce more fissile nuclear fuel than is consumed in a reactor.
-
to impregnate; mate.
Breed a strong mare with a fast stallion and hope for a Derby winner.
verb (used without object)
-
to produce offspring.
Many animals breed in the spring.
-
to be engendered or produced; grow; develop.
Bacteria will not breed in alcohol.
-
to cause the birth of young, as in raising stock.
-
to be pregnant.
noun
-
Genetics. a relatively homogenous group of animals within a species, developed and maintained by humans.
-
lineage; stock; strain.
She comes from a fine breed of people.
-
sort; kind; group.
Scholars are a quiet breed.
-
Disparaging and Offensive. half-breed.
verb
-
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
-
To produce or reproduce by giving birth or hatching.
-
To raise animals or plants, often to produce new or improved types.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
have bredperfect
-
has bredperfect 3rd person singular
-
am breedingprogressive 1st person singular
-
has been breedingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
are breedingprogressive
-
is breedingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
breedssingular 3rd person
-
breedingparticiple
-
have been breedingperfect progressive
Past
-
had bredperfect
-
was breedingprogressive singular
-
had been breedingperfect progressive
-
were breedingprogressive plural
-
bredsimple
-
bredparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of breed
before 1000; Middle English breden, Old English brēdan to nourish (cognate with Old High German bruotan, German brüten ); noun use from 16th century
Explanation
To breed is to have babies, whether you’re a human or a hermit crab. A breed is also a specific type of a domesticated species, like a poodle or Great Dane. The word breed comes from the Old English bredan which means to "bring young to birth," but also "cherish,” which is how most people feel about their offspring. Awwwww. But the fact is that breeding is reproducing. Also, a breed is a strain or stock of a species, such as a Siamese cat. There are many types of dog breeds, cow breeds, and even pig breeds. Members of a breed usually look and behave in a similar way.
Vocabulary lists containing breed
Word Generation Science - Life Science
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Genetics - Inheritance and Variation of Traits
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"A Modest Proposal," Vocabulary from the satire
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Howletts Wild Animal Park, near Canterbury, said the cubs, born in April, were the first of the extremely rare breed to be welcomed at the site.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
Two of that breed, Mark Z. Barabak and Anita Chabria, can’t see into the future.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2026
Eaton uses a carefully sourced heritage breed bird that’s brined, deboned and served in butter for $35.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
Hemsley warned it was not uncommon for the birds not to breed again after losing their nests.
From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026
“Do you think it’s too late in the season for Frightful to breed? We’re way into June.”
From "On the Far Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
