Finesentence

Domestication Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🌾
Save

domestication

do-mes-ti-ca-tion

🇺🇸 /dəˌmɛstəˈkeɪʃən/ · 🇬🇧 /dəmˌɛstɪkˈeɪʃən/

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

animal husbandry

Domestication is the process by which wild animals or plants are adapted to living with humans. This process often leads to genetic changes over generations, resulting in species that are more docile and beneficial to humans. It has played a crucial role in agriculture and the development of human civilization.

Synonyms

cultivation, taming, training.

Examples of usage

  • The domestication of dogs has led to a variety of breeds.
  • Many crops have undergone domestication to maintain desirable traits.
  • Domestication of horses revolutionized transportation.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Quick facts about “domestication”

Domestication is a 5-syllable noun (do-mes-ti-ca-tion). It is pronounced /dəˌmɛstəˈkeɪʃən/ in American English and /dəmˌɛstɪkˈeɪʃən/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 1 meaning, 3 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #20,603 among the most common English words.

Origin of 'domestication'

The word 'domestication' comes from the Latin 'domesticus', meaning 'belonging to the house or home', which is derived from 'domus', meaning 'house'. The concept of domestication has been around since ancient times, when humans began to cultivate plants and breed animals for food, clothing, and labor. As societies progressed, domestication expanded beyond agriculture and livestock to include companionship animals, influencing human lifestyles and economies. Scholars often trace its pivotal role in the establishment of stable communities and the eventual rise of civilizations. Over centuries, domestication processes have shaped not only the characteristics of plants and animals but also the social structures of human beings as they relied on these domestic species for survival and growth.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,603, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.