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 customs and manners of polite society

4

: the sexual propagation of plants or animals

Synonyms of breeding

• 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

Such an effort would likely require collaring individuals, as researchers currently lack basic data on the species, including their breeding habits. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 27 Dec. 2025

Among their many purposes, genebanks continue to serve as the genetic libraries Vavilov dreamed of, facilitating agricultural research, plant breeding, and farming. —Julia Daye, Popular Science, 25 Dec. 2025

That's because its turquoise seas also host their own seasonal migration for the North Atlantic humpback whale, offering visitors the chance to see these gorgeous creatures in crystal-clear waters during their breeding and calving season. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 22 Dec. 2025

And, at least two monkey species were transferred to the exhibit from other zoos through a similar cooperative breeding and management program for threatened and endangered animals. —Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 21 Dec. 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