breeder

[ bree-der ]

noun

1. an animal, plant, or person that produces offspring or reproduces.
2. a person who raises animals or plants primarily for breeding purposes.
3. Also called breed·er re·ac·tor [bree, -der ree-ak-ter]. Energy. a nuclear reactor in which more fissile material is produced than is consumed.
4. Slang: Sometimes Offensive. a term used by gay people to refer to a heterosexual person.
5. Slang: Sometimes Offensive. a term used especially by child-free people to refer to a biological parent.

breeder

/ ˈbriːdə /

noun

1. a person who breeds plants or animals
2. something that reproduces, esp to excess

   rabbits are persistent breeders

3. an animal kept for breeding purposes
4. a source or cause

   a breeder of discontent

5. short for breeder reactor

Other Words From

• non·breed·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of breeder¹

First recorded in 1525–35; breed + -er ¹

Example Sentences

By obtaining the health certificates from other states, The Times found consumers who unwittingly purchased expensive dogs from resellers posing as local breeders.

From Los Angeles Times

As an expert breeder, Wade Bennett can tell you the precise parentage of every one of the 140 head of Charolais cattle he keeps on a small holding on the edge of Nebraska’s rolling Sandhills.

From BBC

By obtaining those records from other states, The Times was able to detail how some unscrupulous California resellers buy puppies in bulk from mass breeders in the Midwest and rebrand them as locally bred.

From Los Angeles Times

Abruzzo cradled his delivery, a 10-week-old Boston terrier that had made its way from an Indiana breeder to a broker, then to a crate inside his transport van.

From Los Angeles Times

The Times attempted to interview breeders across the country, including during a reporting trip to Midwest states.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adviser
• coach
• handler
• mentor
• professor
• tutor