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

• lineage
• ancestry
• pedigree
• origin
• genealogy
• family

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

Arctic seals rely on sea ice for breeding and raising their pups, as well as for moulting, resting and accessing foraging areas. —Doyle Rice, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025

After meeting a female fossa named Shala, the pair successfully produced four pups, marking a significant achievement for the European breeding program. —Real-Time News Team, Miami Herald, 17 Oct. 2025

Two veterinarians in the comments reassured Sean that the markings are simply pigmentation, not a sign of mixed breeding. —Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025

While studies in the early 2000s provided good insights into Indiana’s woodrat populations, the researchers concluded that a captive breeding program would help woodrat populations build better genetic diversity in the state. —Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 15 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing breeding

• breeding ground
• breeding season
• selective breeding

Rhymes for breeding

• beading
• bleeding
• ceding
• feeding
• heeding
• kneading
• leading
• needing
• pleading
• reding
• seeding
• speeding

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