domesticate

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verb do·mes·ti·cate \də-ˈmes-ti-ˌkāt\

Definition of domesticate

domesticated

;

domesticating

transitive verb
1 : to bring into use in one's own country : to bring into domestic use : adopt started to domesticate European customs
2 : to adapt (an animal or plant) to life in intimate association with and to the advantage of humans when humans first domesticated the dog
3 : to cause to become adapted to life in a household : to make fit for domestic life wasn't interested in becoming domesticated
4 : to bring to the level of ordinary people

domestication

play \-ˌmes-ti-ˈkā-shən\ noun

See domesticate defined for English-language learners

See domesticate defined for kids

Examples of domesticate in a Sentence

Horses and oxen have been domesticated to work on farms.
She jokes that dogs are easier to domesticate than men.

Recent Examples of domesticate from the Web

The researchers used various measures of bee and colony health for both domesticated and wild bees, a total of 14 tests in all.

— john timmer, Ars Technica, "Study paints a confused picture of how insecticides are affecting bees," 30 June 2017
His goal is to convince farmers and other property owners that hardy domesticated rice varieties developed for cold, northern climates on other continents can be grown and harvested for retail sale in Wisconsin.

— don behm, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Rice planting in Mequon is historic first for Wisconsin," 29 June 2017
The country hasn’t completely failed to domesticate its chip business.

— ian king, Bloomberg.com, "China Is Missing Out on the Chips Rush," 26 June 2017
Fairchild has identified and domesticated some of these jewels of the jungle that can now grow successfully in South Florida.

— noris ledesma, miamiherald, "Taming the wild mango," 22 June 2017
Whether the reclusive animals are truly domesticated.)

— james hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: Most Republicans in the Georgia special election are willing to give Trumpcare a chance," 20 June 2017
Cats were not domesticated in the same way dogs, cows, pigs, and goats were.

— annalee newitz, Ars Technica, "Cats are an extreme outlier among domestic animals," 19 June 2017
Instead, people more or less allowed cats to domesticate themselves.

— casey smith, National Geographic, "Cats Domesticated Themselves, Ancient DNA Shows," 19 June 2017
The part of us that’s been anesthetized, domesticated, tamed, and kept numb by food, shopping, alcohol, and drugs is now awakening within us.

— christina pérez, Vogue, "How to Awaken Your Inner Witch," 19 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'domesticate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of domesticate

see ¹domestic

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1639

See Words from the same year

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

domesticate

play

noun do·mes·ti·cate \-kət, -ˌkāt\

Definition of domesticate

: a domesticated (see ¹domesticate 2) animal or plant

Origin and Etymology of domesticate

see ¹domestic

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1951

See Words from the same year

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

DOMESTICATE Defined for English Language Learners

domesticate

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verb

Definition of domesticate for English Language Learners

: to breed or train (an animal) to need and accept the care of human beings : to tame (an animal)
: to grow (a plant) for human use
: to train (someone) to behave in an appropriate way at home (such as by using good manners, being polite, being helpful, etc.)