inbreeding

noun

in·​breed·​ing ˈin-ˈbrē-diŋ How to pronounce inbreeding (audio)
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 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

Time Traveler
The first known use of inbreeding was circa 1842

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.

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 How to pronounce inbreeding (audio)
: 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!