breeding

American  

[bree-ding] / ˈbri dɪŋ /

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.

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breeding British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• nonbreeding adjective

Etymology

Origin of breeding

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

Example Sentences

The full impact on seabird populations won't be known until the birds return to their breeding sites in the coming months.

From BBC

Spending the money to purchase more female cattle for breeding is too big a financial gamble if grazing pastures dry up again and he has to buy more feed.

From The Wall Street Journal

Each generation of banana plants had to grow for at least 12 months before researchers could test them for disease resistance and continue breeding once they flowered.

From Science Daily

For several years, London has been losing ground to its star-studded rivals in Paris and Milan, but it has clung onto its role as a breeding ground for young talent.

From Barron's

It was one of the last major undeveloped wetlands in Southern California and a breeding and feeding site for 370 bird species, along with fish, reptiles, rabbits, foxes, coyotes and other animals.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• development
• rearing
• training