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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Learn more about snake breeding from one of Ben’s friends, and fellow breeder, former NFL linebacker Chad Brown. Dateline Nbc, NBC News, 28 Mar. 2023 Augusta Lavender Heliotrope Jeanine Standard, media and public relations manager at Proven Winners, an online firm in DeKalb, Ill., that represents breeders, likes this one. Joanne Kempinger Demski, Journal Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2023 Jonathan Lawler, a spokesman for Indiana Council for Animal Welfare, told the Free Press on Wednesday that Puppygram is a member in good standing of the nonprofit group and gets about 90% of its dogs from a certified breeder. Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 22 Feb. 2023 Built by Hubei Zhongxin Kaiwei Modern Animal Husbandry, a cement manufacturer turned pig breeder, the Ezhou farm stands like a monument to China’s ambition to modernize pork production. Claire Fu, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2023 Toy Yorkies can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars if purchased from a breeder, but Atlanta’s animal shelters are filled with mixed-breed puppies like Emilia and Violet. Henri Hollis, ajc, 16 Sep. 2022 Winston cost nearly triple what Roche would’ve paid a breeder for a dachshund. Dallas News, 9 May 2022 The two-time Horse of the Year was euthanized in 2001 after a battle with laminitis and buried whole, a rare honor for race horses, wearing pink, the color of his original owners and breeders at Harbor View Farm. The Courier-Journal, 24 Apr. 2023 Queen Camilla has picked up the mantle of representing the horse racing fraternity from the late monarch, who was a passionate racehorse owner, breeder and spectator. Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2023 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

1531, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of breeder was in 1531

Dictionary Entries Near breeder

Cite this Entry

“Breeder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breeder. Accessed 28 May. 2023.

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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