noun

breeding

BREE-dihng

noun

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

"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.

"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

breedings plural, Breedings plural

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Can you complete this real example?

Selective _____ has changed dogs enormously over centuries.

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

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