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

Financial returns are generated through prize earnings, breeding rights, stud fees, and eventual sales. —Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

One of the signature features of Blackberry Farm is its breeding program for Lagotto Romagnolos, the fleecy and very intelligent Italian water dogs often used to hunt truffles. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 June 2026

The process involves a writhing dance that looks a lot like the dance that male and female sunfish perform with each other prior to breeding. —Elizabeth Kolbert, New Yorker, 22 June 2026

Across these stages, animals function simultaneously as experimental models, reproductive resources, breeding populations, and organ sources. —Torie Bosch, STAT, 20 June 2026

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