breeding
Americannoun
-
the producing of offspring.
-
the improvement or development of breeds of livestock, as by selective mating and hybridization.
-
Horticulture. the production of new forms by selection, crossing, and hybridizing.
-
training; nurture.
He is a man of good breeding.
-
the result of upbringing or training as shown in behavior and manners; manners, especially good manners.
You can tell when a person has breeding.
-
Energy. the production in a nuclear reactor of more fissile material than is consumed.
noun
-
the process of bearing offspring; reproduction
-
the process of producing plants or animals by sexual reproduction
-
the result of good training, esp the knowledge of correct social behaviour; refinement
a man of breeding
-
a person's line of descent
his breeding was suspect
-
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
Etymology
Origin of breeding
Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at breed, -ing 1
Vocabulary lists containing breeding
Growth, Development and Reproduction of Organisms - Middle School
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Growth, Development and Reproduction of Organisms - High School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Killer Angels
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
The number of packs that were deemed breeding pairs — meaning they contained at least one adult male, an adult female and two pups — declined from five in 2024 to three in 2025.
From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2026
Despite the decrease in breeding pairs in 2025, California continues to see positive signs for wolf population growth.
From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2026
In December, plans were announced for a breeding colony of white storks to be introduced to Eastbrookend Country Park in Dagenham in London for the first time in 600 years.
From BBC • May 10, 2026
There are cooperatively breeding insects, rodents, and even reptiles.
From Slate • May 10, 2026
Distinctions, breeding, education are changed, are almost blotted out and hardly recognizable any longer.
From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque
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.
