breeding ground

noun

1. a place where animals breed or to which they return to breed.

2. an environment suitable for or fostering the development of an idea, thing, etc..

   a breeding ground for violence.

Word History and Origins

Origin of breeding ground¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Newsrooms being breeding grounds for gallows humor, most also understand that futility is a terrific comedy catalyst.

From Salon

The president has made clear he sees top schools as hotbeds of liberal ideology and breeding grounds for anti-American sentiment.

From Los Angeles Times

But it was in fact a breeding ground of artistic ferment, in which creatives grappled with what Elie calls crypto-religion, that “liminal space between belief and disbelief” that produced a wealth of thought-provoking popular art.

From Los Angeles Times

A single swimming pool can become a breeding ground for as many as 3 million mosquitoes in one month.

From Los Angeles Times

On Wednesday, the Colorado-based organization posted a YouTube video of the birds’ annual migratory trek across the ice to their breeding grounds.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• hatchery