domestic animal

American  

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.

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Etymology

Origin of domestic animal

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

This pattern has been seen in every domestic animal, except dogs.

From Science Daily • Nov. 6, 2023

“It can happen wherever there is frequent wild or domestic animal and human interactions.”

From New York Times • Jul. 6, 2023

Chuc Bui said it might also be because ancient Vietnamese people who originally lived in the lowlands preferred a more domestic animal like the cat over a wild animal like the rabbit.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 18, 2023

Dogs and cats are still the most popular pets, ranking well ahead of other categories of domestic animal.

From BBC • Nov. 9, 2017

Such cases can often be detected by analyzing the resulting morphological, genetic, or chromosomal differences between specimens of the same crop or domestic animal in different areas.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond