breeding

[ bree-ding ]

noun

1. the producing of offspring.
2. the improvement or development of breeds of livestock, as by selective mating and hybridization.
3. Horticulture. the production of new forms by selection, crossing, and hybridizing.
4. training; nurture:

   He is a man of good breeding.

5. the result of upbringing or training as shown in behavior and manners; manners, especially good manners:

   You can tell when a person has breeding.

6. Energy. the production in a nuclear reactor of more fissile material than is consumed.

breeding

/ ˈbriːdɪŋ /

noun

1. the process of bearing offspring; reproduction
2. the process of producing plants or animals by sexual reproduction
3. the result of good training, esp the knowledge of correct social behaviour; refinement

   a man of breeding

4. a person's line of descent

   his breeding was suspect

5. physics a process occurring in a nuclear reactor as a result of which more fissionable material is produced than is used up

Other Words From

• non·breeding adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of breeding¹

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; breed, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

"With this new information, we can better reconstruct the last 1,500 years of horse breeding history and evolution."

From Science Daily

The researchers wanted to understand what makes the coexistence of seabird species breeding on the same isolated island possible.

From Science Daily

However, almost nothing is known about Antarctic blue whale breeding behavior, according to the researchers.

From Science Daily

But long before Musk's involvement in aiding Trump, Musk destabilized X, making it a breeding ground for more hate speech, harassment and unchecked artificial intelligence.

From Salon

According to Cornell University's All about Birds website, the male breeding birds have a bright red body and black wings and tails, while females and juvenile birds have a yellowish-green body.

From BBC

Related Words

• development
• rearing
• training