breedverb
uk/briːd/us/briːd/bred, bredbreed verb (REPRODUCE)
B2 [ T ] to keep animals for the purpose of producing young animals in a controlled way:
Terriers are bred for their fighting instincts.
His main income comes from breeding cattle.
See also
inbred
purebred
thoroughbred
well bred
[ I ] (of animals) to have sex and produce young animals:
The blackbird, like most birds, breeds in the spring.
More examples
- While the animals are still immature, they do not breed.
- The map on the opposite page shows where these birds commonly breed.
- She breeds pedigree Burmese cats.
- Animals bred in captivity would probably not survive if they were released into the wild.
- At this time of year the birds return to the island to breed.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Breeds & breeding
- beget
- breeder
- breeding
- breeding ground
- brood mare
- cross
- crossbreed
- fancier
- father
- hybrid
- inbred
- inbreeding
- interbreed
- pedigree
- pedigreed
- purebred
- selective breeding
- sire
- stud
- thoroughbred
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Animal reproduction
breed verb (CAUSE)
C2 [ T ] to cause something to happen, usually something bad:
Favouritism breeds resentment.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Causing things to happen
- -ization
- -ize
- actuation
- agent
- awaken (sth) in sb
- be associated with sth
- beget
- draw
- fuel
- instigate
- instigator
- introduce
- lie
- plant
- produce
- rise
- usher
- usher sth in
- wreak
- wrought
See more results »
breednoun [ C ]
uk/briːd/us/briːd/B2 a particular type of animal or plant:
a breed of dog/cat/horse/sheep/cattle
What's your favourite breed of dog/dog breed?
informal a type of person:
Arletty was that rare breed of actress - beautiful, sexy and funny.
A new breed of film-maker has taken over Hollywood.
Authentic blues singers are a dying breed (= becoming rare) these days.
More examples
- The centre works to protect and preserve rare breeds of European sheep.
- There is now a huge variety of dog breeds.
- We have several breeds of deer in the park, not just one.
- The Gloucester Old Spot is the oldest breed of pedigree spotted pig in the world.
- Burmese, Oriental and Tonkinese are my favourite breeds of cat.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Breeds & breeding
- beget
- breeder
- breeding
- breeding ground
- brood mare
- cross
- crossbreed
- fancier
- father
- hybrid
- inbred
- inbreeding
- interbreed
- pedigree
- pedigreed
- purebred
- selective breeding
- sire
- stud
- thoroughbred
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Species & genders
Categories and varieties
People in general