hybrid

hy·brid

noun \ˈhī-brəd\

Definition of HYBRID

1

: an offspring of two animals or plants of different races, breeds, varieties, species, or genera

2

: a person whose background is a blend of two diverse cultures or traditions

3

a : something heterogeneous in origin or composition : composite <hybrids of complementary DNA and RNA strands> <a hybrid of medieval and Renaissance styles>

b : something (as a power plant, vehicle, or electronic circuit) that has two different types of components performing essentially the same function

— hybrid adjective

— hy·brid·ism \-brə-ˌdi-zəm\ noun

— hy·brid·i·ty \hī-ˈbri-də-tē\ noun

Examples of HYBRID

1. a hybrid of two roses
2. The band plays a hybrid of jazz and rock.

Origin of HYBRID

Latin hybrida

First Known Use: 1601

Related to HYBRID

Synonyms

cross, crossbred, crossbreed, intercross, mongrel

Related Words

mule; outcross; half-bred; mulatto

Near Antonyms

full-blood, pureblood, purebred, thoroughbred

Other Genetics Terms

chimera, hermaphrodite, plasticity

hy·brid

noun \ˈhī-brəd\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of HYBRID

1

: an offspring of two animals or plants of different races, breeds, varieties, species, or genera

2

: something heterogeneous in origin or composition <artificial hybrids of DNA and RNA> <somatic cell hybrids of mouse and human cells>

—hybrid adjective

—hy·brid·ism \-brə-ˌdiz-əm\ noun

—hy·brid·i·ty \hī-ˈbrid-ət-ē\ noun, plural hy·brid·i·ties

hybrid

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Offspring of parents that differ in genetically determined traits (see genetics). The parents may be of two different species, genera, or (rarely) families. The terms “mongrel” and “crossbreed” refer usually to animals or plants resulting from a cross between two races, breeds, strains, or varieties of the same species. Because of basic biological incompatibilities, sterile hybrids (those that cannot produce living young) such as the mule (a hybrid between a jackass and a mare) commonly result from crosses between species. Some species hybrids, however, are fertile and can be sources for the formation of new species. Many economically or aesthetically important cultivated plants (e.g., bananas, coffee, peanuts, dahlias, roses, bread wheats, alfalfa, etc.) originated through natural or artificially induced hybridization. Hybridization is important biologically because it increases necessary genetic variation within a species.