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

Mosquitoes pose another risk as standing floodwater can serve as a breeding ground, which can lead to the harboring of diseases, such as West Nile virus. —Bymary Kekatos, ABC News, 11 July 2025

Many of the arcades have become breeding grounds for drugs and violent crime. —Josh Salman, Miami Herald, 11 July 2025

Washing dishes and cleaning your sink will remove possible attractions for pests and breeding grounds for mold or other smells that gather in a damp sink. —Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 July 2025

This in turn disrupts breeding grounds and food chains, while also increasing pollution and harming desert ecosystem productivity. —Indrabati Lahiri, Forbes.com, 7 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