breeder

noun

breed·​er ˈbrē-dər 

: 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

New plant varieties with unique qualities are introduced by breeders and hybridizers every year. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 20 Feb. 2026

While a surge in bird flu cases among breeder chickens pushed the national average to a new record in June, those increases were measured in a few cents. —Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026

In one case that stood out from most, the Justice Department during the Biden administration prosecuted animal research breeder Envigo over both animal welfare and environmental crimes after investigators discovered the mistreatment of thousands of beagles at one of its locations. —Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026

Crop breeders have attempted to protect monocultures by introducing disease resistance genes, with farms widely applying fungicides and other environmentally damaging products. —Lily Peck, The Conversation, 17 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for breeder

• bleeder
• feeder
• leader
• lieder
• meader
• pleader
• reader
• reeder
• seeder
• weeder
• cheerleader
• proofreader

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