breeding

noun

breed·​ing ˈbrē-diŋ 

1

: the action or process of bearing or generating

2

: ancestry

3

a

archaic : education

she had her breeding at my father's charge

—William Shakespeare

b

: training in or observance of the proprieties

4

: the sexual propagation of plants or animals

Synonyms

• lineage
• ancestry
• pedigree
• origin
• genealogy
• family

Examples of breeding in a Sentence

She became involved in the breeding of sled dogs.

His politeness shows good breeding.

a person who lacks breeding

Recent Examples on the Web

Researchers created a breeding strategy that included monitoring reproductive behavior, strict incubation management and intensive care after birth, according to the release. —Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2025

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex adopted the senior beagle in 2022 as one of the 4,000 beagles rescued from a Virginia breeding facility owned by Envigo RMS. —Janine Henni, People.com, 12 Aug. 2025

Bears, mostly young males and some breeding females, are living in other eastern Massachusetts communities along Route 495. —Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 11 Aug. 2025

Diaries, newspapers and photo records from the past two centuries show the presence of not only young bulls, which at times can range widely, but also cows and calves, a sign that local breeding was taking place in Colorado before reintroduction. —John Wendt, The Conversation, 11 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing breeding

• breeding ground
• breeding season
• selective breeding

Rhymes for breeding

• beading
• bleeding
• ceding
• feeding
• heeding
• kneading
• leading
• needing
• pleading
• reding
• seeding
• speeding

Kids Definition

breeding

noun

breed·​ing

1

: ancestry sense 1

2

: training especially in manners

3

: the producing and raising of plants or animals by sexual reproduction