verb B1 Intermediate Common

breed

BREED

Breed (verb) means to produce offspring, especially of animals reproducing. Example: “Rabbits breed quickly if left unchecked.”

verb

To produce offspring, especially of animals reproducing.

"Rabbits breed quickly if left unchecked."

"These birds breed once a year in spring."

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."

To cause or lead to something, especially something negative, over time.

"Poverty can breed resentment."

"Familiarity breeds contempt, so the saying goes."

noun

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 notes

In 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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Rabbits _____ quickly if left unchecked.

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.

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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reproduce propagate procreate spawn engender multiply

Related words

increase kill create grow spread copy print egg

Rhymes for breed

feed seed reed deed need heed weed peed bleed speed creed greed

See all rhymes for breed →

Frequently asked questions

What does “breed” mean?

The word “breed” means to produce offspring, especially of animals reproducing. In plain terms, to reproduce, or to deliberately mate animals to get a certain type; also, the resulting animal type itself.

How do you pronounce “breed”?

“Breed” is pronounced BREED (/ˈbɹiːd/ in IPA).

How do you use “breed” in a sentence?

Here is “breed” used in a sentence: “Rabbits breed quickly if left unchecked.”

What part of speech is “breed”?

Depending on how it is used, “breed” can be a verb and a noun.

Where does the word “breed” come from?

The word “breed” comes from Old English. 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.

Is “breed” a common word?

“Breed” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “breed” have?

“Breed” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to produce offspring, especially of animals reproducing.

What is the difference between a breed and a species?

A species is a fundamental biological grouping of organisms that can naturally reproduce together. A breed is a variety within a single species, produced by deliberately mating animals to promote particular traits — so all dog breeds, from Chihuahuas to Great Danes, belong to one species.

What is the past tense of breed?

The past tense and past participle of breed is "bred," as in "they bred horses for speed" or "a well-bred dog." "Breeded" is not standard English and should be avoided.

When should you use breed instead of raise for animals?

Breed refers specifically to mating animals to produce offspring, often with the aim of encouraging particular traits in the young. Raise means caring for animals as they grow, so a farmer might raise chickens for eggs without ever breeding them.

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