breeding

1 of 2

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

breeding

2 of 2

present participle of breed entry 1

Synonyms of breeding

Noun

• lineage
• ancestry
• pedigree
• origin
• genealogy
• family

Examples of breeding in a Sentence

Noun

She became involved in the breeding of sled dogs.

His politeness shows good breeding.

a person who lacks breeding

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The developers say automating pollination could reduce the need for manual labor, lower breeding costs, and improve the efficiency of hybrid breeding. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026

Empty water from mosquito breeding sites around the home, such as buckets, unused kiddie pools, old tires, and other water-holding containers where mosquitoes can lay eggs. — Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 9 Sep. 2026

For migratory species such as myrtle warblers, the farther north and west their breeding range expanded, the longer the migration to their southern wintering ground became. — Stephanie Szarmach, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2026

Decades ago, the creation and release of sterile flies to interrupt the pest’s breeding cycle was key to driving it out. — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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