breeding

[bree-ding]

noun

1. the producing of offspring.

2. the improvement or development of breeds of livestock, as by selective mating and hybridization.

3. Horticulture.,  the production of new forms by selection, crossing, and hybridizing.

4. training; nurture.

   He is a man of good breeding.

5. the result of upbringing or training as shown in behavior and manners; manners, especially good manners.

   You can tell when a person has breeding.

6. Energy.,  the production in a nuclear reactor of more fissile material than is consumed.

breeding

/ ˈbriːdɪŋ /

noun

1. the process of bearing offspring; reproduction

2. the process of producing plants or animals by sexual reproduction

3. the result of good training, esp the knowledge of correct social behaviour; refinement

   a man of breeding

4. a person's line of descent

   his breeding was suspect

5. physics a process occurring in a nuclear reactor as a result of which more fissionable material is produced than is used up

Other Word Forms

• nonbreeding adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of breeding¹

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; breed, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Researchers also plan to investigate whether certain stars are resistant to the disease, opening the door to breeding animals that are more resilient.

From Los Angeles Times

The marauders beat and slashed to death all the males in a neighboring colony and subjugated the breeding females, essentially annihilating an entire community.

From Los Angeles Times

The zoo has a breeding program administered by the nonprofit Assn. of Zoos and Aquariums that is designed to increase the genetic diversity of the chimpanzee population in North America, the release states.

From Los Angeles Times

Those rats can start breeding after nine weeks, meaning two rats can potentially create more than 1,000 offspring in a single year.

From BBC

“The first human cases of West Nile virus are an important reminder that we all need to take steps to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding,” said Dr. Muntu Davis, L.A.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• development 
• rearing www.thesaurus.com
• training