inbreed

American  

[in-breed, in-breed] / ˈɪnˌbrid, ɪnˈbrid /

verb (used with object)

inbred, inbreeding

1. to breed (individuals of a closely related group) repeatedly.

2. to breed within; engender.

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verb (used without object)

inbred, inbreeding

1. to engage in or undergo inbreeding.

inbreed British  

/ ˈɪnˈbriːd /

verb

1. to breed from unions between closely related individuals, esp over several generations

2. (tr) to develop within; engender

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Other Word Forms

• inbreeding noun

Etymology

Origin of inbreed

First recorded in 1590–1600; in- ¹ + breed

Example Sentences

Now researchers have figured out one reason the critters are so hardy: they can inbreed, quite robustly, for generations.

From Time • Dec. 7, 2011

It turns out that unlike most creatures, bedbugs are able to inbreed with close relatives and still produce generally healthy offspring.

From Washington Post • Dec. 7, 2011

It turns out that unlike most creatures, bedbugs are able to inbreed with close relatives and still produce generally healthy offspring.

From Washington Post • Dec. 7, 2011

Bed bugs inbreed without ill effects, the researchers said, so even a single mated bed bug can lead to a colony of the blood-sucking insects.

From BusinessWeek • Dec. 6, 2011

For such a group, to survive is to inbreed, and the Amish have more than survived; they now number 44,000.

From Time Magazine Archive