breeding

noun

breed·​ing ˈbrē-diŋ 

1

: the action or process of bearing or generating

2

: ancestry

3

a

archaic : education

she had her breeding at my father's charge

—William Shakespeare

b

: training in or observance of the proprieties

4

: the sexual propagation of plants or animals

Synonyms

• ancestry
• birth
• blood
• bloodline
• descent
• extraction
• family tree
• genealogy
• line
• lineage
• origin
• parentage
• pedigree
• stock
• strain

Examples of breeding in a Sentence

She became involved in the breeding of sled dogs.

His politeness shows good breeding.

a person who lacks breeding

Recent Examples on the Web

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Almost exactly two years after thousands of beagles were rescued from unsafe conditions at a breeding facility in Virginia, the company behind it has agreed to pay a record $35 million in fines. —Rachel Treisman, NPR, 4 June 2024

The dog breeding facility in Cumberland, Virginia, which is now closed, was cited for failing to provide adequate veterinary care to the animals in its facility as well as failing to meet requirements for adequate housing, food, and sanitation. —Stephanie Ebbs, ABC News, 3 June 2024

And his worsening health limited her ability to keep up with breeding show dogs. —Bill Lukitsch, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2024

This was the final stage of a breeding and reintroduction program that was initiated to save the species in 2012. —Julia Daye, Sacramento Bee, 31 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing breeding

• breeding ground
• breeding season
• selective breeding

Kids Definition

breeding

noun

breed·​ing

1

: ancestry sense 1

2

: training especially in manners

3

: the producing and raising of plants or animals by sexual reproduction