breeding 1 of 2

noun

ˈbrē-diŋ How to pronounce breeding (audio)
Definition of breedingnext
as in lineage
the line of ancestors from whom a person is descended a family of good breeding that is well respected in the community

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breeding

2 of 2

verb

present participle of breed
1
as in reproducing
to bring forth offspring rabbits will breed very frequently unless they're kept separated

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2
as in raising
to bring to maturity through care and education he was bred to a life in the military by his father, himself an army captain

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3
as in creating
to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind) this habit of favoring one employee over the others will breed resentment

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4
as in sleeping
to engage in sexual intercourse cats breeding outside our window made a horrible racket last night

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5
as in planting
to set permanently in the consciousness or mind-set parents who breed in their children a deep respect for people of all classes

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of breeding
Noun
Hire a Professional Pest-control professionals can use their expertise to find and eliminate mosquito breeding sites, Ellis says. — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 3 July 2026 Fewer than 600 birds were recorded on Lundy in 2001, but the population has since climbed to more than 25,000, meaning the island now supports about 95% of the species' breeding population in England. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
Verb
Remove standing water and trim vegetation to stop mosquitoes from breeding. — The Spruce, 2 July 2026 Residents can also request a free backyard inspection from the department's Pest Management team to identify areas where mosquitoes may be breeding. — Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for breeding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for breeding
  1. lineage
  2. reproducing
  3. raising
  4. creating
  5. sleeping
  6. planting
  7. ancestry
  8. propagating
Noun
  • Ormund’s conviction is complicated by the fact that his most powerful asset, Daeron, is a Targaryen by lineage.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 13 July 2026
  • By placing the Obamas’ story within this lineage, the center makes clear that their journey belonged to a much larger American narrative shaped by generations of leaders and ordinary citizens who came before them.
    — Jenan Mohajir, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026
Definition of lineage
Verb
  • The pond is overstocked as a result of the fish naturally reproducing, Zibert said.
    — Zuri Primos July 8, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026
  • Rather than simply reproducing the work, the designers transformed the painting’s floating metallic bells into a repeating pattern of pink and blue soccer balls.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 8 July 2026
Definition of reproducing
Verb
  • Millions of homeowners who secured ultra-low mortgage rates before the Federal Reserve began raising interest rates in 2022 are reluctant to sell because doing so would likely mean taking on a much more expensive mortgage.
    — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • If your diet is full of fresh fruits and vegetables, the cyclosporiasis outbreak spiking across the country may be raising concerns on what to eat.
    — Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 10 July 2026
Definition of raising
Verb
  • Plus, darker tones help muffle visual clutter, creating a calming mood that feels loads richer than your budget might suggest.
    — Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 8 July 2026
  • These elegant, loose-fitting pull-on pants sit high on the waist, creating a leg-lengthening effect.
    — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2026
Definition of creating
Verb
  • The new model maintains Airstream’s convertible front dinette to create a flexible space for dining, relaxing, or even sleeping for an extra single traveler.
    — Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • As of January, when the Homeless Trust last tallied the county’s homeless population, 605 people were found sleeping on Miami’s streets — just over half of the county’s entire unsheltered population.
    — Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026
Definition of sleeping
Verb
  • As a bonus, those seasons are ideal for planting a replacement shrub or re-establishing a lawn if it is damaged during the shrub removal.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 5 July 2026
  • Daugherty recommends planting various evergreens to provide food and shelter for birds over the winter.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 5 July 2026
Definition of planting
Noun
  • The Viking Row, an homage to Norway’s Viking ancestry, mirrors the energy of soldiers arriving to shore, ready for battle.
    — Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 11 July 2026
  • Broward county has more than 128k residents of Haitian ancestry, and WLRN reported that more than 100k Haitian TPS holders live in South Florida.
    — Elijah Manley, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026
Definition of ancestry
Verb
  • The free and open internet faces threats from companies propagating walled gardens designed to control your data and the rise of black-box AI systems.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 8 July 2026
  • For some vexillophiles, the issue is not so much who is propagating the spin-off Ross flag but the design itself.
    — Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026
Definition of propagating

Phrases Containing breeding

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breeding
breeding ground
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Cite this Entry

“Breeding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/breeding. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on breeding

Nglish: Translation of breeding for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about breeding

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