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 proprieties

4

: the sexual propagation of plants or animals

Synonyms

• 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

Enormous names come to watch world-best horses, jockeys and trainers at a myriad of events, solidifying the countryside in and around Deauville as the main horse-breeding region in France. —Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 12 Sep. 2025

According to the American Kennel Club, human intervention in breeding and care has made male dogs less essential to pup survival, and in fact, fathers can sometimes be more of a distraction than a help. —Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025

While staying at this 1930s former hunting lodge in Kenya, there’s no need to head out on safari—one of the continent’s best animal encounters is found at this boutique hotel and giraffe breeding sanctuary. —Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

These large waterbirds disappeared across much of their breeding range in the early 20th century as wetlands were drained for agriculture. —Tom Langen, The Conversation, 9 Sep. 2025

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