hybrid

1 of 2

noun

hy·​brid ˈhī-brəd How to pronounce hybrid (audio)
1
: an offspring of two animals or plants of different subspecies, breeds, varieties, species, or genera
a hybrid of two roses
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 (such as a power plant, vehicle, or electronic circuit) that has two different types of components performing essentially the same function
drives a hybrid that gets really good mileage
hybridism noun
hybridity noun

hybrid

2 of 2

adjective

1
: relating to or produced from parents of different species, varieties, or breeds
a hybrid rose
hybrid cattle
2
: having or produced by a combination of two or more distinct elements : marked by heterogeneity in origin, composition, or appearance
… difficulties with normal English are … its hybrid vocabulary and the irregularities of English spelling.G. A. Miller
a hybrid style
3
: having two different types of components performing essentially the same function
a hybrid vehicle

Examples of hybrid in a Sentence

Noun a hybrid of two roses The band plays a hybrid of jazz and rock.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The lightweight mask-conditioner hybrid deeply repairs hair and protects against UV damage thanks to a mix of botanical extracts including watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower. Mary Honkus, Glamour, 7 Mar. 2024 Lincoln is dropping the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the Aviator. Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 6 Mar. 2024 And at Off-White, creative director Ib Kamara’s working woman, global and ageless, came with faux fur, maximalism, in playful, hybrid cuts, breaking boundaries, expectations and labels. Alice Pfeiffer, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024 The plug-in hybrid can range for 55 km on its battery alone before switching to gasoline propulsion. IEEE Spectrum, 5 Mar. 2024 Decorative towels add style to the space, and a rack-and-shelf hybrid will maximize storage above the toilet. Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2024 The event will showcase the latest Epiphyllum hybrids as well as many species and epicacti. Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2024 The long-lasting hybrid is spiked with skincare ingredients to keep lips hydrated and plump. Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 The automaker is also showcasing the U8 hybrid SUV from its luxury brand Yangwang. James Brooks and Jamey Keaten, Quartz, 26 Feb. 2024
Adjective
The data suggests that a more blended, hybrid approach to work—which has been quietly adopted by many—is the new normal. Byeleanor Pringle, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2024 This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule, the CalCareers website says. Angela Rodriguez, Sacramento Bee, 7 Mar. 2024 And between March and April, this hybrid citrus blooms and is celebrated throughout the community with special events, activities, restaurant, and hotel specials. Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 7 Mar. 2024 Last month, Ford saw hybrid sales jump 32% year-over-year. William Gavin, Quartz, 7 Mar. 2024 That bet may have paid off, as Toyota boasts strong hybrid sales even as the rest of the EV market slows down. Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 6 Mar. 2024 As for grunt, Milano features a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system that includes four variable-speed CAT C32 generators and two 1650 kW e-motors. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 4 Mar. 2024 Additionally, major hardware launches and generative AI advances are bringing new digital-physical experiences—from hybrid workstations to virtual assistants—to the forefront this year. Yola Robert, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 With the expectation of being 100% in office unlikely to return just yet, workforce alignment tools will remain critical to enabling companies to work well in the hybrid approach. Jean-Marc Chanoine, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hybrid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin hybrida

First Known Use

Noun

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

circa 1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hybrid was in 1601

Dictionary Entries Near hybrid

Cite this Entry

“Hybrid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hybrid. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

hybrid

1 of 2 noun
hy·​brid
ˈhī-brəd
1
: an offspring of parents with different genes especially when of different races, breeds, species, or genera
2
: something of mixed origin or composition

hybrid

2 of 2 adjective
: of or relating to a hybrid : of mixed origin

Medical Definition

hybrid

noun
hy·​brid ˈhī-brəd How to pronounce hybrid (audio)
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
hybridism noun
hybridity noun
plural hybridities

Legal Definition

hybrid

adjective
hy·​brid
ˈhī-brid
: consisting of diverse components: as
a
: of, relating to, or being a lawsuit brought by an employee under the Labor Management Relations Act against both the employer for breach of contract and the union for breach of the duty of fair representation
b
: of, relating to, or being representation of a criminal defendant in which the defendant represents himself or herself with the assistance of a lawyer

More from Merriam-Webster on hybrid

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