breeder
Americannoun
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an animal, plant, or person that produces offspring or reproduces.
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a person who raises animals or plants primarily for breeding purposes.
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Also called breeder reactor. Energy. a nuclear reactor in which more fissile material is produced than is consumed.
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Slang: Sometimes Offensive. a term used by gay people to refer to a heterosexual person.
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Slang: Sometimes Offensive. a term used especially by child-free people to refer to a biological parent.
noun
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a person who breeds plants or animals
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something that reproduces, esp to excess
rabbits are persistent breeders
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an animal kept for breeding purposes
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a source or cause
a breeder of discontent
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short for breeder reactor
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of breeder
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.
Her subsequent axolotls were purchased from a specialist breeder, making them more expensive, and she also cares for four rescued axolotls that were not been properly looked after by previous owners.
From BBC • Apr. 26, 2026
She made the ferry journey over to England with a fellow Dutch breeder friend and seven pooches between them -- three of them Swedish Vallhunds and four other hounds.
From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026
Humboldt seemed to have little chance after Terry Lovinger, a prominent California owner and breeder, spoke.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026
Kate Evans, an apple breeder at Washington State University, developed the Cosmic Crisp, a variety she’s worked on for two decades.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 15, 2025
Maria sought out wealthy collectors such as Agneta Block, a skilled breeder of rare and tropical plants, who invited Maria to visit her estate.
From "The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science" by Joyce Sidman
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.
