verb
breed
BREED
verb
1
To produce offspring, especially of animals reproducing.
"Rabbits breed quickly if left unchecked."
"These birds breed once a year in spring."
2
To keep and mate animals deliberately, aiming to produce specific traits in their offspring.
"She breeds spaniels for show competitions."
"Farmers breed cattle for higher milk yields."
3
To cause or lead to something, especially something negative, over time.
"Poverty can breed resentment."
"Familiarity breeds contempt, so the saying goes."
noun
1
A particular type of animal (or occasionally plant) within a species, produced through selective mating.
"The Labrador is one of the most popular dog breeds."
"What breed is your cat?"
How to Use Breed
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo reproduce, or to deliberately mate animals to get a certain type; also, the resulting animal type itself.
Common pairings
breed animals
breeding ground
breed contempt/resentment
a rare breed
Word Forms
bred past tense, Breeds plural, breeds singular
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Etymology
From Old English brēdan, related to a root meaning "to warm" or "to brood" — the original sense was close to hatching eggs by keeping them warm.