inbreeding

American  

[in-bree-ding] / ˈɪnˌbri dɪŋ /

noun

Biology.

1. the mating of closely related individuals, as cousins, sire-daughter, brother-sister, or self-fertilized plants, which tends to increase the number of individuals that are homozygous for a trait and therefore increases the appearance of recessive traits.

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inbreeding Scientific  

/ ĭn′brē′dĭng /

1. The breeding or mating of related individuals within an isolated or closed group of organisms or people. Inbreeding can result in inbreeding depression. However, in agriculture and animal husbandry, the continued breeding of closely related individuals can help to preserve desirable traits in a stock.

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Etymology

Origin of inbreeding

First recorded in 1835–45; inbreed + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Researchers believe this behavior may help this relatively small and isolated population avoid inbreeding and preserve genetic diversity.

From Science Daily • Jun. 4, 2026

In the meantime, populations are at risk of being wiped out by inbreeding, fierce wildfires or a number of other factors.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 12, 2026

This dispersal, as it's known, plays a role in avoiding inbreeding, spreading gene diversity and shaping social relationships.

From BBC • Aug. 5, 2025

Local cats have begun to show signs of inbreeding from the lack of genetic diversity, including kinked tails.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2024

He was a businessman, pronounced ztfynessman in his case, a hardworking, earthbound professional, more concerned with inbreeding among the lions than any over­arching moral or existential scheme.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel