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

The newspaper describes her as a "dog breeder and horse lover" who ran Croft Farm, a boarding kennels in the village Thorpe in Balne.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

"People dream every year to have this piece of paper and the rosetta... it's something very special," Italian breeder and handler Mattia Fasso, 29, told AFP.

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026

Sir Thomas Pilkington:, external A successful owner, breeder and administrator, he was senior steward of the Jockey Club from 1994 to 1998 and also acted as chair of the British Horseracing Board.

From BBC • Dec. 18, 2025

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 • Nov. 10, 2025

After spending a petless year with only one child still living at home, my parents visited a breeder and returned with a Great Dane they named Melina.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris

Related Words

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