inbreeding
noun
in·breed·ing
ˈin-ˈbrē-diŋ 
1
: the interbreeding of closely related individuals especially to preserve and fix desirable characters of and to eliminate unfavorable characters from a stock
2
: confinement to a narrow range or a local or limited field of choice
Examples of inbreeding in a Sentence
genetic defects caused by inbreeding
Recent Examples on the Web
The population size, as well as inbreeding level and genetic diversity, remained stable for the next 6,000 years until their extinction.
—
Jeanne Timmons, Ars Technica, 29 June 2024
Their risk of accidental inbreeding is real: In 2021, The New York Times reported some of Meijer’s offspring had come across one another on the dating app Tinder.
—Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 9 July 2024
Unlike the initial population bottleneck, genomic signatures over time seem to indicate inbreeding eventually shifted to pairings of more distant relatives, suggesting either a larger mammoth population or a change in behavior.
—Jeanne Timmons, Ars Technica, 29 June 2024
That inbreeding also boosted the purging of harmful mutations.
—Jeanne Timmons, Ars Technica, 29 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for inbreeding 
Jeanne Timmons, Ars Technica, 29 June 2024
Their risk of accidental inbreeding is real: In 2021, The New York Times reported some of Meijer’s offspring had come across one another on the dating app Tinder.
—Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 9 July 2024
Unlike the initial population bottleneck, genomic signatures over time seem to indicate inbreeding eventually shifted to pairings of more distant relatives, suggesting either a larger mammoth population or a change in behavior.
—Jeanne Timmons, Ars Technica, 29 June 2024
That inbreeding also boosted the purging of harmful mutations.
—Jeanne Timmons, Ars Technica, 29 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for inbreeding
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inbreeding.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near inbreeding
Cite this Entry
“Inbreeding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inbreeding. Accessed 7 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
inbreeding
noun
in·breed·ing
ˈin-ˈbrēd-iŋ
: the interbreeding of closely related individuals especially to preserve and fix desirable characters of and to eliminate unfavorable characters from a stock compare linebreeding, outbreeding
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