breeds; bred
ˈbrɛd 
; breeding
; breeding
1
: to keep and take care of animals or plants in order to produce more animals or plants of a particular kind
He got into the business of breeding cattle.
The plants are bred to resist disease and drought.
dogs bred for hunting = dogs bred as hunters = dogs bred to hunt
wild horses bred to [=mated to] domestic horses [=wild horses and domestic horses brought together to produce horses that have qualities of both]
2
: to produce young animals, birds, etc. : to produce offspring by sexual reproduction
low-lying areas where mosquitoes breed [=reproduce]
3
: to take care of and teach (a child who is growing up)
She believes that we are breeding a generation of children who know nothing about the history of their country.
—usually used as (be) bredchildren who are bred [=(more commonly) raised, brought up] in conditions of poverty and crime
4
: to cause or lead to (something)
Despair often breeds violence.
scandals that breed cynicism
plural breeds
1
: a particular kind of dog, cat, horse, etc. : a kind of animal that has been produced by breeding
The collie is a working breed.
exotic breeds of cats
different breeds of cattle
2
: a kind of person
a new/different breed of athlete
People like them are a dying breed. [=there are not many people like them anymore]
Back then, stay-at-home dads were a rare breed. [=there were not many stay-at-home dads]
Cite this Entry
“Breed.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/breed. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
