Breeding: meaning, definitions and examples

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breeding

 

[ ˈbriːdɪŋ ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

animal

The process of mating and producing offspring, especially in animals. Breeding involves selecting desirable traits to pass on to the next generation.

Synonyms

mating, procreation, reproduction.

Examples of usage

  • Selective breeding of dogs has led to the creation of various breeds with specific characteristics.
  • Breeding programs in zoos aim to maintain genetic diversity in endangered species.
Context #2 | Noun

plants

The production of new plants by sexual or asexual reproduction. Breeding in plants is often done to create hybrids with beneficial traits.

Synonyms

crossbreeding, cultivation, propagation.

Examples of usage

  • Farmers engage in breeding crops for higher yields and disease resistance.
  • The breeding of roses has resulted in a wide range of colors and fragrances.
Context #3 | Verb

general

To mate animals in order to produce offspring with desired characteristics. Breeding can also refer to the cultivation of plants for specific traits.

Synonyms

cultivating, mating, producing.

Examples of usage

  • The farmers are breeding their cows for milk production.
  • She is breeding rare orchids in her greenhouse.

Translations

Translations of the word "breeding" in other languages:

🇵🇹 criação

🇮🇳 प्रजनन

🇩🇪 Zucht

🇮🇩 pembiakan

🇺🇦 розведення

🇵🇱 hodowla

🇯🇵 繁殖 (はんしょく)

🇫🇷 élevage

🇪🇸 cría

🇹🇷 yetiştirme

🇰🇷 번식 (繁殖)

🇸🇦 تربية

🇨🇿 chov

🇸🇰 chov

🇨🇳 繁殖 (fánzhí)

🇸🇮 vzreja

🇮🇸 ræktun

🇰🇿 көбею

🇬🇪 გამრავლება

🇦🇿 yetişdirmə

🇲🇽 cría

Etymology

The word 'breeding' originated from the Old English word 'brēdan', which meant 'to produce offspring by reproduction'. The term has been used for centuries to describe the process of mating and producing offspring in animals and plants. Over time, breeding techniques have evolved to enhance specific traits in various species for agricultural, scientific, and recreational purposes.

See also: bred, breed, breeder, crossbreed, crossbreeding, interbreed, interbreeding.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,729, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.