breeder

noun

breed·​er ˈbrē-dər How to pronounce breeder (audio)
: one that breeds: such as
a
: an animal or plant kept for propagation
b
: one engaged in the breeding of a specified organism
c
: a nuclear reactor designed to produce more fissionable material than it uses as fuel

called also breeder reactor

Examples of breeder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Callery pear tree seeds were brought to the U.S. from China in 1916 to help breeders create fruit-bearing pear trees more resistant to fire blight, a disease that destroys leaves and fruit, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 23 Mar. 2024 Then in 1992, using stock from zoos, breeders successfully reintroduced them to their homeland in this park. Stanley Stewart, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Mar. 2024 Devices like these could help farmers and plant breeders select for hardier crop varieties—with thicker, longer or more dense roots that can absorb scarce nutrients—a marked shift from previous agricultural revolutions, according to Lynch. Maddie Bender, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Mar. 2024 Ward's girlfriend told investigators that the couple bought Winston at a reptile exhibit in October and their other Gila monster from a breeder in Arizona, per the AP, citing the report. Brian Brant, Peoplemag, 21 Feb. 2024 Among breeders, the matter of snake size could be divisive. Rebecca Giggs, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024 Of course, The Denver Post adds to this problem by continuing to run classified ads for dog breeders! Tj Hutchinson, The Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2024 The animal rights group said the breeder was only licensed to breed and sell animals, not exhibit them. Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 2 Feb. 2024 The 35-year-old, who was believed to have been a pit bull breeder, was discovered in a kennel in his backyard in Compton early Friday morning, according to CBS News, KTLA and The Los Angeles Times. Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 17 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'breeder.' 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

1531, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of breeder was in 1531

Dictionary Entries Near breeder

Cite this Entry

“Breeder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breeder. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.

Medical Definition

breeder

noun
breed·​er
: one that breeds: as
a
: an animal or plant kept for propagation
b
: one engaged in the breeding of a specified organism

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