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.
The Jarvises brought Teddy home last year from a breeder, shortly after the death of their former Yorkie, Luna. Chandler Boese, Kansas City Star, 4 Nov. 2025 Dozens of them were streaming over a tall metal fence at a compound owned by Alpha Genesis, one of the country’s biggest breeders of primates used in scientific experiments. Ava Kofman, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025 Mitzi was one of 26 dogs and puppies who were rescued from a backyard breeder. Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025 Also called the Norway rat, these rodents are highly adaptive and excellent breeders. Sarah Durn, Popular Science, 30 Oct. 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 10 Nov. 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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