hybridize

verb

hy·​brid·​ize ˈhī-brə-ˌdīz 

hybridized; hybridizing

transitive verb

: to cause to produce hybrids : interbreed

intransitive verb

: to produce hybrids

hybridization

ˌhī-brə-də-ˈzā-shən 

noun

hybridizer noun

Examples of hybridize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The researchers looked at both the eastern and western Joshua trees, which have some differences — for instance, each is pollinated by a different species of yucca moth — but also hybridize and occupy overlapping climates, as the study notes. —Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2024

By hybridizing their pickup trucks, automakers seem to be spreading their bets. —Bob Sorokanich, WIRED, 14 Aug. 2024

These grasses grow in coastal salt marshes and readily hybridize with related species. —Richard Pallardy, Ars Technica, 30 July 2024

Ford has launched a plug-in version of the Escape, and Jeep has hybridized the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee. —Liam Rappleye, Detroit Free Press, 2 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

hybridize

verb

hy·​brid·​ize ˈhī-brə-ˌdīz 

hybridized; hybridizing

: to produce or cause to produce hybrids : interbreed

hybridization

ˌhī-brəd-ə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

hybridizer

ˈhī-brə-ˌdī-zər

noun

Medical Definition

hybridize

verb

hy·​brid·​ize

variants also British hybridise

ˈhī-brə-ˌdīz 

hybridized also British hybridised; hybridizing also British hybridising

transitive verb

: to cause to interbreed or combine so as to produce hybrids

hybridize two species

fuse and hybridize somatic cells of two different species

hybridize two DNAs

intransitive verb

: to produce hybrids

hybridization noun

also British hybridisation

ˌhī-brəd-ə-ˈzā-shən 

hybridizer noun

also British hybridiser