breeding

noun

breed·​ing ˈbrē-diŋ How to pronounce breeding (audio)
1
: the action or process of bearing or generating
2
3
a
archaic : education
she had her breeding at my father's chargeWilliam Shakespeare
b
: training in or observance of the proprieties
4
: the sexual propagation of plants or animals

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
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.
By 1987, the entire species – numbering just 22 individuals – was removed from the wild and placed into captive breeding programs at a number of zoos throughout the United States. Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025 Since then, that number has increased to 82 breeding pairs across the Great Lakes, thanks to efforts to reintroduce captive piping plovers into the wild and conserve the plovers’ natural habitat. Lily Carey, Chicago Tribune, 23 June 2025 All of the chicks bred at the zoo are eligible to be released into the wild as part of the zoo’s California Condor Recovery Program, although some of them may be held back for future breeding, the release states. Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025 New hatchlings triple red handfish conservation breeding program numbers Emilie Lucchesi has written for some of the country's largest newspapers, including The New York Times, Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for breeding

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of breeding was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Breeding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breeding. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

breeding

noun
breed·​ing
1
2
: training especially in manners
3
: the producing and raising of plants or animals by sexual reproduction

More from Merriam-Webster on breeding

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