inbreeding

[in-bree-ding]

noun

Biology.

1. the mating of closely related individuals, as cousins, sire-daughter, brother-sister, or self-fertilized plants, which tends to increase the number of individuals that are homozygous for a trait and therefore increases the appearance of recessive traits.

inbreeding

1. The breeding or mating of related individuals within an isolated or closed group of organisms or people. Inbreeding can result in inbreeding depression. However, in agriculture and animal husbandry, the continued breeding of closely related individuals can help to preserve desirable traits in a stock.

Word History and Origins

Origin of inbreeding¹

First recorded in 1835–45; inbreed + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

This dispersal, as it's known, plays a role in avoiding inbreeding, spreading gene diversity and shaping social relationships.

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"Our nature is very fragmented, due to railways and streets and cities. And this means we created a lot of barriers for the lynx, which leads to inbreeding," Dina says.

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In many species, inbreeding can reduce health and fitness.

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Genetics determines where they end up, to diminish the risks of inbreeding or disease.

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Local cats have begun to show signs of inbreeding from the lack of genetic diversity, including kinked tails.

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