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

Jasiri, a reticulated giraffe at the Denver Zoo, will spend a few months at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo for those breeding efforts, according to the organization. —Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 11 Jan. 2026

With 100,000 seabirds in residence during nesting season, Lady Elliot is one of the reef’s most important breeding sites. —Susan Casey, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026

Adventure World has been involved in the protection and breeding of giant pandas in both Japan and China for more than 30 years, per its website. —Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026

Club members participate in a variety of projects, including poultry breeding and marketing, arts and crafts, photography, sheep breeding, dairy goat projects and more. —Tracy Trobridge, Baltimore Sun, 4 Jan. 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