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

Major rainfall in December and early February created ideal breeding conditions, said Susanne Kluh, general manager for the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District. —Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2026

Such a partial bypass of the hydropower turbines delivers water cold enough to keep non-native bass from breeding and then eating threatened humpback chubs. —Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 28 Feb. 2026

The exhibition also features video stories from leaders in frog breeding, a frog sculpture, hundreds of feet of faux bark made from recycled cardboard, and other handmade decorations. —Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026

Now, for the first time in nearly 200 years, tortoises with Floreana ancestry have returned to Floreana Island, following the release last week of 158 individuals reared in a special captive breeding program. —Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 27 Feb. 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