noun B1 Intermediate Common

breeding

BREE-dihng

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Breeding (noun) means the controlled mating of animals or plants to produce or improve particular characteristics. Example: “Careful breeding of racehorses requires patience, good records and a lot of knowledge.”

noun

The controlled mating of animals or plants to produce or improve particular characteristics.

"Careful breeding of racehorses requires patience, good records and a lot of knowledge."

"Selective breeding has changed dogs enormously over centuries."

"The farm specializes in breeding rare cattle."

Refined manners and upbringing, especially as a mark of a privileged background.

"You could tell her breeding from her graceful, polite way of speaking to strangers."

"In the novel, the family prides itself on its breeding and its impeccable table manners."

"His good breeding showed in the way he greeted every guest."

How to use breeding

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither the practice of mating animals/plants for desired traits, or old-fashioned polished manners from a good upbringing.

When to use it

The "good manners" sense sounds old-fashioned and class-conscious in modern British English.

Common pairings

selective breeding captive breeding good breeding

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: breedings

Test yourself on “breeding” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Careful _____ of racehorses requires patience, good records and a lot of knowledge.

Etymology

From the verb "breed" plus the suffix "-ing", covering both the literal act of reproduction and, by extension, upbringing.

Synonyms

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reproduction propagation rearing upbringing refinement gentility genteelness education nurture fosterage procreation fostering

Related words

school education culture learning generation ed teaching feed

Rhymes for breeding

needing feeding weeding seeding bleeding speeding receding exceeding preceding proceeding succeeding inbreeding

See all rhymes for breeding →

Frequently asked questions

What does “breeding” mean?

The word “breeding” means the controlled mating of animals or plants to produce or improve particular characteristics. In plain terms, either the practice of mating animals/plants for desired traits, or old-fashioned polished manners from a good upbringing.

How do you pronounce “breeding”?

“Breeding” is pronounced BREE-dihng (/ˈbɹiːdɪŋ/ in IPA).

How do you use “breeding” in a sentence?

Here is “breeding” used in a sentence: “Selective breeding has changed dogs enormously over centuries.”

What part of speech is “breeding”?

“Breeding” is a noun.

Is “breeding” a common word?

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

How many meanings does “breeding” have?

“Breeding” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the controlled mating of animals or plants to produce or improve particular characteristics.

What is the difference between breeding and reproduction?

Reproduction is the natural biological process by which organisms produce offspring. Breeding usually implies human control — the deliberate mating of animals or plants to produce or improve particular characteristics, as in livestock breeding or plant breeding.

What is selective breeding?

Selective breeding is the controlled mating of animals or plants so that desirable characteristics are passed on and strengthened over generations. It is how growers and farmers developed most modern crop varieties, livestock lines, and dog breeds.

Is it rude to say someone has no breeding?

Yes, it is generally taken as an insult. Saying someone "has no breeding" is an old-fashioned way of accusing them of poor manners and a low-class upbringing, and because it ties politeness to social class, it can sound snobbish as well as rude.

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