interbreed

[ in-ter-breed ]

verb (used with object)

, in·ter·bred, in·ter·breed·ing.

1. to crossbreed (a plant or animal).
2. to cause to breed together.

verb (used without object)

, in·ter·bred, in·ter·breed·ing.

1. to crossbreed.
2. to breed or mate with a closely related individual, as in a small, closed population.

interbreed

/ ˌɪntəˈbriːd /

verb

1. intr to breed within a single family or strain so as to produce particular characteristics in the offspring
2. See crossbreed
   another term for crossbreed

Word History and Origins

Origin of interbreed¹

First recorded in 1855–60; inter- + breed

Example Sentences

When apes begin to diverge, for whatever reason, they would have still been able to interbreed with each other because they wouldn’t have been a separate species yet.

From Nautilus

Our close relatives like the Neanderthals and Denisovans clearly interbred both with us and each other.

From Ars Technica

That find indicated that interbreeding outside of Europe dated to as early as 60,000 years ago.

From Science News

Research has also shown that humans and Neanderthals interbred, and that Neanderthals were a lot more sophisticated than previously thought.

From Singularity Hub 

These “dispersal morph” individuals interbreed with other colonies’ members and can potentially establish brand new colonies.

From Science News

The majority of ornamental ducks interbreed freely in captivity.

From Project Gutenberg

That the domestic hog in some places in northern Luzon does thus interbreed with the wild ones is a proved fact.

From Project Gutenberg

One of the definitions of species is that they will not interbreed and propagate.

From Project Gutenberg

Notwithstanding their similarity they do not interbreed when brought together.

From Project Gutenberg

My experience tends to show that the two species will not interbreed.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• associate
• blend
• fuse
• incorporate
• infuse
• mingle
• stir
• weave