breeding ground

noun

1

: the place to which animals go to breed

2

: a place or set of circumstances suitable for or favorable to growth and development

hurricane breeding grounds

Synonyms

• center
• nursery
• nest
• capital

Examples of breeding ground in a Sentence

a breeding ground for seals

The Gulf of Mexico is a breeding ground for hurricanes.

The company's casual atmosphere serves as a breeding ground for innovation.

Recent Examples on the Web

Residents are advised to use insect repellent, wear protective clothing, and eliminate standing water to reduce mosquito breeding grounds. —Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 9 July 2025

The spectacle was the latest example of how high-profile celebrity trials with real-world consequences have become the perfect breeding ground for online content creators to go viral. —Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 3 July 2025

The YouTube search results have warped into an apparent AI breeding ground, crammed with hourlong mixes full of soporific dreck. —Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 2 July 2025

This isn’t just because someone left a clump of hair in the drain—these environments can be breeding grounds for bacteria and nasty fungi. —Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1630, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for breeding ground

• aboveground
• battleground
• belowground
• paperbound
• turnaround
• ultrasound
• underground
• wraparound
• abound
• aground
• around
• astound

Kids Definition

breeding ground

noun

1

: the place where animals go to breed

2

: a place or situation that helps or allows something to grow or develop

an expanse of warm ocean that is a breeding ground for hurricanes