crossbreed

verb

cross·​breed ˈkrȯs-ˌbrēd 

-ˈbrēd

crossbred ˈkrȯs-ˌbred  -ˈbred  ; crossbreeding

transitive verb

: hybridize, cross

especially : to cross (two varieties or breeds) within the same species

intransitive verb

: to engage in or undergo hybridization

Examples of crossbreed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Many surviving bison herds carry traces of cattle DNA after historic crossbreeding efforts intended to produce larger, meatier livestock. —Nick El Hajj, Des Moines Register, 8 May 2026

Over the years, red wolves began to crossbreed with coyotes, keeping those genetic traces alive through the resulting hybrids. —Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026

Designer crossbreed dogs are increasingly popular pets. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 19 Mar. 2026

One of the latter is a giant man-eating, glitter-pissing cat-centaur crossbreed, but don’t even ask. —David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 5 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for crossbreed

• accede
• agreed
• airspeed
• alkyd
• bindweed
• chickweed
• concede
• decreed
• duckweed
• exceed
• flaxseed
• impede

Kids Definition

crossbreed

1 of 2 verb

cross·​breed ˈkrȯs-ˌbrēd 

-ˈbrēd

crossbred -ˌbred  -ˈbred  ; crossbreeding

: hybridize

especially : to cross two varieties or breeds of the same species

crossbreed

2 of 2 noun

cross·​breed -ˌbrēd 

: hybrid sense 1

Medical Definition

crossbreed

1 of 2 verb

cross·​breed ˈkrȯs-ˌbrēd, -ˈbrēd 

crossbred -ˌbred, -ˈbred  ; crossbreeding

transitive verb

: hybridize, cross

especially : to cross (two varieties or breeds) within the same species

intransitive verb

: to engage in or undergo crossing or hybridization

crossbreed

2 of 2 noun

cross·​breed -ˌbrēd 

: hybrid