interbreed

verb

in·​ter·​breed ˌin-tər-ˈbrēd 

interbred ˌin-tər-ˈbred  ; interbreeding

intransitive verb

: to breed together: such as

a

: crossbreed

b

: to breed within a closed population

transitive verb

: to cause to breed together

Examples of interbreed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Today, some humans have traces of Neanderthal DNA in their genomes because the two species interbred roughly 47,000 years ago. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 June 2025

One obvious example: bees can’t interbreed with ants. —Nicholas Green, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2025

But at that same time, the team’s research revealed dozens of lineages of horses, some so different that scientists had once thought of them as different species — but which recent genetic evidence shows would have been similar enough to interbreed, and did so. —Saul Elbein, The Hill, 16 May 2025

There’s also the risk that the new genes are unsuitable for Florida waters, and any interbreeding would weaken local stock. —Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 3 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for interbreed

• aniseed
• centipede
• cottonseed
• disagreed
• ganymede
• guaranteed
• intercede
• overspeed
• pedigreed
• refereed
• supercede
• supersede

Kids Definition

interbreed

verb

in·​ter·​breed ˌint-ər-ˈbrēd 

interbred -ˈbred  ; interbreeding

: to breed or cause to breed together: as

a

: crossbreed

b

: to breed within a population

Medical Definition

interbreed

verb

in·​ter·​breed ˌint-ər-ˈbrēd 

interbred -ˈbred  ; interbreeding

intransitive verb

: to breed together: as

a

: crossbreed

b

: to breed within a closed population

transitive verb

: to cause to breed together