breeder

American  

[bree-der] / ˈbri dər /

noun

1. an animal, plant, or person that produces offspring or reproduces.

2. a person who raises animals or plants primarily for breeding purposes.

3. Also called breeder reactor.  Energy. a nuclear reactor in which more fissile material is produced than is consumed.

4. Slang: Sometimes Offensive. a term used by gay people to refer to a heterosexual person.

5. Slang: Sometimes Offensive. a term used especially by child-free people to refer to a biological parent.

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breeder British  

/ ˈbriːdə /

noun

1. a person who breeds plants or animals

2. something that reproduces, esp to excess

   rabbits are persistent breeders

3. an animal kept for breeding purposes

4. a source or cause

   a breeder of discontent

5. short for breeder reactor

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Other Word Forms

• nonbreeder noun

Etymology

Origin of breeder

First recorded in 1525–35; breed + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Puppy farming is the term used when breeders prioritise profit over animal health and welfare, often keeping large numbers of dogs in small pens and using them to produce multiple litters a year.

From BBC

The malleability of the dog genome allows for enormous physical variety, she explained, meaning that breeders can push features to extremes—squashing snouts, piling on wrinkles.

From The Wall Street Journal

Howard Dill, a Canadian pumpkin breeder, crossed and then certified the Dill’s Atlantic Giant pumpkin variety about 40 years ago.

From The Wall Street Journal

So how did a small plant breeder in Somerset end up selling tropical plants all over the world?

From BBC

This discovery could give breeders a powerful new tool to boost yields without needing more land, water, or fertilizer.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• adviser
• coach
• handler
• mentor
• professor
• tutor