interbreed
verb
in·ter·breed ˌin-tər-ˈbrēd 
interbred ˌin-tər-ˈbred ; interbreeding
; interbreeding intransitive verb
: to breed together: such as
a
: crossbreed
b
: to breed within a closed population
transitive verb
: to cause to breed together
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Every middle-school student learns the dogma: a species is defined as a group of organisms that interbreed and produce fertile young. 
Daniel Rubinoff, Scientific American, 15 Aug. 2022 Neither can interbreed with whitetail deer found in Georgia. Parish Howard, USA TODAY, 6 Nov. 2021 Where the biological species concept makes determinations based on whether organisms can interbreed, the phylogenetic view relies on histories of evolutionary descent. Zach St. George, Harper's Magazine, 27 Apr. 2021 Even organisms that are indisputably considered separate species often interbreed, especially plants. Zach St. George, Harper's Magazine, 27 Apr. 2021 It is known as the biological species concept, and posits that a species is a collection of populations of organisms that interbreed or could potentially do so. Zach St. George, Harper's Magazine, 27 Apr. 2021 Genetic analysis confirmed the two species do not interbreed. Elizabeth Pennisi, Science | AAAS, 25 Mar. 2021 The dire wolf didn't seem to interbreed with other species — as dogs, wolves, coyotes and other canids do. Star Tribune, 28 Jan. 2021 Studying Canada goose migrations can be challenging; even bird biologists can’t tell migrant and resident geese apart by appearance; the populations also mix and interbreed. Brian Handwerk, Animals, 16 Dec. 2020 See More
Daniel Rubinoff, Scientific American, 15 Aug. 2022 Neither can interbreed with whitetail deer found in Georgia. Parish Howard, USA TODAY, 6 Nov. 2021 Where the biological species concept makes determinations based on whether organisms can interbreed, the phylogenetic view relies on histories of evolutionary descent. Zach St. George, Harper's Magazine, 27 Apr. 2021 Even organisms that are indisputably considered separate species often interbreed, especially plants. Zach St. George, Harper's Magazine, 27 Apr. 2021 It is known as the biological species concept, and posits that a species is a collection of populations of organisms that interbreed or could potentially do so. Zach St. George, Harper's Magazine, 27 Apr. 2021 Genetic analysis confirmed the two species do not interbreed. Elizabeth Pennisi, Science | AAAS, 25 Mar. 2021 The dire wolf didn't seem to interbreed with other species — as dogs, wolves, coyotes and other canids do. Star Tribune, 28 Jan. 2021 Studying Canada goose migrations can be challenging; even bird biologists can’t tell migrant and resident geese apart by appearance; the populations also mix and interbreed. Brian Handwerk, Animals, 16 Dec. 2020 See More Word History
First Known Use
1859, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
Medical Definition
interbreed
verb
in·ter·breed ˌint-ər-ˈbrēd
interbred -ˈbred ; interbreeding
; interbreeding intransitive verb
: to breed together: as
a
: crossbreed
b
: to breed within a closed population
transitive verb
: to cause to breed together