interbreed

[ in-ter-breed ]

verb (used with object)

, in·ter·bred, in·ter·breed·ing.

1. to crossbreed (a plant or animal).
2. to cause to breed together.

verb (used without object)

, in·ter·bred, in·ter·breed·ing.

1. to crossbreed.
2. to breed or mate with a closely related individual, as in a small, closed population.

interbreed

/ ˌɪntəˈbriːd /

verb

1. intr to breed within a single family or strain so as to produce particular characteristics in the offspring
2. another term for crossbreed

Word History and Origins

Origin of interbreed¹

First recorded in 1855–60; inter- + breed

Example Sentences

This means Thorin's genome was full of the variants one usually sees with recent inbreeding, a striking feature given other modern humans lived nearby with whom Thorin's Neanderthal community could have interbred.

From Salon

Duplicated and rearranged genes can account for some of this knottiness, Renner explains, as can interbreeding among these diverging plants.

From Science Magazine

But whether that interbreeding was critical to H. elevatus separating from H. pardalinus and becoming its own distinct species was a mystery.

From Science Magazine

They also can weaken wild Chinook fitness by interbreeding or disease, noted study author Misty MacDuffee, salmon biologist with the Raincoast Conservation Foundation, a science nonprofit.

From Seattle Times

These two broods may actually overlap — but probably not interbreed — in a small area near central Illinois, entomologists said.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• associate
• blend
• fuse
• incorporate
• infuse
• mingle
• stir
• weave