domestic animal

noun

1. an animal, as the horse or cat, that has been tamed and kept by humans as a work animal, food source, or pet, especially a member of those species that have, through selective breeding, become notably different from their wild ancestors.

Word History and Origins

Origin of domestic animal¹

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

Experts worry that some domestic animals might carry hard-to-treat superbugs - bacteria that have become resistant to common antibiotics.

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In Defense of Animals, an international animal protection organization, is offering support to fire victims needing assistance with free, temporary housing for wild or domestic animals.

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They raised crops and domestic animals for food and enjoyed their lifestyle, until “the human element” intervened, as one of the subjects wrote later.

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They are also designed to protect park wildlife from diseases carried by domestic animals.

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One tip is keeping domestic animals indoors or within completely enclosed shelters when they cannot be closely monitored.

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