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
Away from this airport stronghold, populations are so small and habitats so eroded that the snakes would be in a downward spiral of inbreeding and population decline if left to their own devices.
—
Pepper St. Clair, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
The genetics of the Angel Island coyotes, for instance, show a lot of inbreeding, and there’s always a risk that, due to either a lack of genetic diversity or a random event, the small population could go extinct.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
The three genomes allowed the researchers to examine how the species’ genetic diversity, such as levels of inbreeding and the number of harmful mutations, changed through time during the last ice age.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 15 Jan. 2026
Instead researchers discovered that the population seemed to be stable and genetically healthy, with DNA similar to much older specimens and no signs of inbreeding, which would be expected if the rhino species’ numbers were dwindling.
—Jeanne Timmons, Scientific American, 14 Jan. 2026
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Pepper St. Clair, Mercury News, 22 Jan. 2026
The genetics of the Angel Island coyotes, for instance, show a lot of inbreeding, and there’s always a risk that, due to either a lack of genetic diversity or a random event, the small population could go extinct.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2026
The three genomes allowed the researchers to examine how the species’ genetic diversity, such as levels of inbreeding and the number of harmful mutations, changed through time during the last ice age.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 15 Jan. 2026
Instead researchers discovered that the population seemed to be stable and genetically healthy, with DNA similar to much older specimens and no signs of inbreeding, which would be expected if the rhino species’ numbers were dwindling.
—Jeanne Timmons, Scientific American, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inbreeding
Cite this Entry
“Inbreeding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inbreeding. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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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