breeder

noun

breed·​er ˈbrē-dər How to pronounce breeder (audio)
: one that breeds: such as
a
: an animal or plant kept for propagation
b
: one engaged in the breeding of a specified organism
c
: a nuclear reactor designed to produce more fissionable material than it uses as fuel

called also breeder reactor

Examples of breeder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In addition to cycling, Bonds has, improbably, become an accomplished breeder of miniature schnauzers. Jeremy Collins, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025 Rose breeder Jackson & Perkins recommends winterizing roses in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 7 and cooler, which includes the Middle and Upper South. Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2025 Richemont executives were smitten with the vivid storytelling behind a fledgling leather goods line by Manon Marcelot, who draws inspiration from her rustic upbringing in rural France among cattle breeders. Miles Socha, Footwear News, 9 Dec. 2025 Shelters have desirable pets of every size and age—many who have lived in homes, are house-trained, already spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and ready to become part of your family—all for a fraction of the cost of buying from a breeder or pet store. News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for breeder

Word History

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of breeder was in 1529

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Cite this Entry

“Breeder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breeder. Accessed 16 Dec. 2025.

Medical Definition

breeder

noun
breed·​er
: one that breeds: as
a
: an animal or plant kept for propagation
b
: one engaged in the breeding of a specified organism

More from Merriam-Webster on breeder

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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