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

The campaign to release the penguins and to cease all breeding programs at the aquarium has gained traction in recent months. —Jack Guy, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025

Collected, the winner of the 2017 Pacific Classic at Del Mar, and a leading sire has been relocated from Kentucky to Rancho San Miguel in San Luis Obispo – a move seen as a boost to California’s Thoroughbred breeding industry. —Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Nov. 2025

Seyia came to Cincinnati through a breeding recommendation and was paired with Faru, a male black rhino. —Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Nov. 2025

The birds lay one egg each breeding cycle, so researchers may not see negative impacts facing young birds reflected in the population for nearly a decade. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 5 Nov. 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