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
Over time, this may also lead to more inbreeding and a lack of genetic variation.
—
Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Nov. 2023
This pattern leads to more inbreeding, which can create a population of native plants that is less genetically fit to survive and reproduce.
—Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 July 2023
Wolves are making a comeback at Isle Royale National Park in Michigan after nearly disappearing from the rugged island chain because of inbreeding and disease.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 June 2023
People got concerned about extinction, and cattle inbreeding was used.
—Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 30 May 2023
People got concerned about extinction and cattle inbreeding was used.
—Li Cohen, CBS News, 29 May 2023
But a termite colony is no more related than a human family (at least until the inbreeding starts).
—Elizabeth Preston, New York Times, 5 May 2023
Scientists discovered that Balto was genetically diverse, with few traces of the kind of inbreeding found in today’s pedigreed dogs.
—Mark Johnson and Dino Grandoni, Anchorage Daily News, 28 Apr. 2023
Determining how closely these sequences match can provide insight into the size of past animal populations; long stretches of matching DNA can be a sign of inbreeding, for instance.
—Emily Anthes, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2023
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Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Nov. 2023
This pattern leads to more inbreeding, which can create a population of native plants that is less genetically fit to survive and reproduce.
—Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 July 2023
Wolves are making a comeback at Isle Royale National Park in Michigan after nearly disappearing from the rugged island chain because of inbreeding and disease.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 June 2023
People got concerned about extinction, and cattle inbreeding was used.
—Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 30 May 2023
People got concerned about extinction and cattle inbreeding was used.
—Li Cohen, CBS News, 29 May 2023
But a termite colony is no more related than a human family (at least until the inbreeding starts).
—Elizabeth Preston, New York Times, 5 May 2023
Scientists discovered that Balto was genetically diverse, with few traces of the kind of inbreeding found in today’s pedigreed dogs.
—Mark Johnson and Dino Grandoni, Anchorage Daily News, 28 Apr. 2023
Determining how closely these sequences match can provide insight into the size of past animal populations; long stretches of matching DNA can be a sign of inbreeding, for instance.
—Emily Anthes, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2023
See More
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.
Word History
First Known Use
circa 1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near inbreeding
Cite this Entry
“Inbreeding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inbreeding. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.
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Kids Definition
inbreeding
noun
in·breed·ing
ˈin-ˌbrēd-iŋ
: the interbreeding of closely related individuals especially to preserve desirable characteristics and eliminate undesirable characteristics from a stock
Medical 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
More from Merriam-Webster on inbreeding
Nglish: Translation of inbreeding for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about inbreeding
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