First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1breed
verb \ˈbrēd\
: to keep and take care of animals or plants in order to produce more animals or plants of a particular kind
: to produce young animals, birds, etc. : to produce offspring by sexual reproduction
: to take care of and teach (a child who is growing up)
bred \ˈbred\ breed·ing
Full Definition of BREED
transitive verb
1
: to produce (offspring) by hatching or gestation
3
: to propagate (plants or animals) sexually and usually under controlled conditions <bred several strains of corn together to produce a superior variety>
4
5
6
: to produce (a fissionable element) by bombarding a nonfissionable element with neutrons from a radioactive element
intransitive verb
2
: to propagate animals or plants
See breed defined for English-language learners
See breed defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of BREED
Middle English breden, from Old English brēdan; akin to Old English brōd brood
2breed
noun
: a particular kind of dog, cat, horse, etc. : a kind of animal that has been produced by breeding
: a kind of person
Full Definition of BREED
1
: a group of usually domesticated animals or plants presumably related by descent from common ancestors and visibly similar in most characters
2
: a number of persons of the same stock
See breed defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BREED
1553
Related to BREED
Other Genetics Terms
BREED Defined for Kids
1breed
verb \ˈbrēd\
bred \ˈbred\breed·ing
Definition of BREED for Kids
1
: to produce or increase (animals or plants) by sexual reproduction <Ranchers breed cattle for market.>
2
: to produce offspring by sexual reproduction <Mosquitoes breed in damp areas.>
3
: to bring up : train <I was born and bred in this town.>
2breed
noun
Definition of BREED for Kids
1
: a kind of animal or plant that is found only under human care and is different from related kinds <a breed of long-haired dogs>
Learn More About BREED
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: breederPrevious Word in the Dictionary: breech presentationAll Words Near: breed
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up breed? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).