cross·breed
ˈkrȯs-ˌbrēd 
-ˈbrēd
crossbred
ˈkrȯs-ˌbred
-ˈbred
; crossbreeding
-ˈbred
; crossbreeding
: to engage in or undergo hybridization
cross·breed
ˈkrȯs-ˌbrēd
: hybrid
Examples of crossbreed in a Sentence
Noun
a Siamese crossbreed who was atypically black, but had the build and voice of a Siamese
Recent Examples on the Web
Saleen Martin, USA Today, 26 Nov. 2025
About two-thirds of breed dogs in our sample had wolf genes from crossbreeding that took place roughly 800 generations ago, on average.
—Logan Kistler, The Conversation, 24 Nov. 2025
Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
These crossbreeds may keep hope alive And while naturally conceived elkhorn and staghorn coral may soon be a thing of the past in Florida, reef restoration groups will keep breeding and replanting them.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crossbreed
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Verb
The scientists analyzed over 2,600 wolf and dog DNA sets and found that 64.1% of modern breed dogs carry wolf ancestry due to genetic crossbreeding nearly 1,000 generations ago, on average.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 26 Nov. 2025
About two-thirds of breed dogs in our sample had wolf genes from crossbreeding that took place roughly 800 generations ago, on average.
—Logan Kistler, The Conversation, 24 Nov. 2025
Noun
At the same time, intentional crossbreeds—often marketed as designer dogs such as cockapoos, maltipoos, and doodles—have surged in popularity.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
These crossbreeds may keep hope alive And while naturally conceived elkhorn and staghorn coral may soon be a thing of the past in Florida, reef restoration groups will keep breeding and replanting them.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crossbreed
Cite this Entry
“Crossbreed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crossbreed. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
crossbreed
1 of 2 verb
cross·breed
ˈkrȯs-ˌbrēd
-ˈbrēd
: hybridize
especially
: to cross two varieties or breeds of the same species
crossbreed
2 of 2 noun
cross·breed
-ˌbrēd
Medical Definition
crossbreed
1 of 2 verb
cross·breed
ˈkrȯs-ˌbrēd, -ˈbrēd
crossbred
-ˌbred, -ˈbred
; crossbreeding
; crossbreeding
: to engage in or undergo crossing or hybridization
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