breeding ground

noun

1. a place where animals breed or to which they return to breed.
2. an environment suitable for or fostering the development of an idea, thing, etc.:

   a breeding ground for violence.

Word History and Origins

Origin of breeding ground¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

The success of Koch’s approach inadvertently led to the United States' most fertile breeding ground for punters being on the other side of the world.

From BBC

Puerto Rican celebrities are responding to Donald Trump and Tony Hinchcliffe after a rally at Madison Square Garden last weekend became a breeding ground for xenophobic and racist rhetoric against the territory.

From Salon

It’s fitting that a park known for its man-on-the-street ambush-type interviews and random impromptu performances is a breeding ground for this disheveled competition.

From Salon

He said: “Saltmarsh reduces flooding. It provides shelter and breeding grounds for fish, it’s an amazing place for birds, and can be great for people too.”

From BBC

Southern California high schools have long been a breeding ground for college volleyball recruits and perhaps no league is loaded with as much Division I talent this fall as the Bay League.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• hatchery