breed

Pluralbreeds

Formsbreeds, breeding, bred

1. 1
   nouncountable

   A group of animals or plants that all belong to the same kind.

   Like putting all the apples of one kind into a single basket.

   This breed of wild horse once roamed the open plains.

   Several breeds of sea turtle are now endangered.

   Similarspecies, strain, variety, stock, type

2. 2
   verbtransitive

   To raise animals and choose which ones have young, so the next generation is better.

   Like a gardener who keeps only the best seeds to grow stronger plants next year.

   Farmers breed cattle for higher milk yields.

   She breeds horses chosen for their gentle temperament.

   Similarraise, rear, keep

3. 3
   verbintransitive

   To produce young by mating and giving birth.

   Rabbits breed very quickly in the wild.

   Frogs breed in ponds during the spring.

   Similarreproduce, mate, procreate, multiply

   Note
4. 4
   nouncolloquialcountable

   A type of person who shares the same way of acting or thinking as others.

   Startup founders are a different breed from office managers.

   She belongs to a rare breed of honest sellers.

   Similarkind, type, sort, species, variety

   Note
5. 5
   verbintransitive

   To join with a mate to produce young.

   Many animals breed only once a year.

   Cats can breed several times in a single year.

   Similarmate, reproduce, spawn, nest

6. 6
   verbtransitive

   To put certain chosen animals together so that they have young.

   The farmer breeds his cows with a prize bull.

   They breed selected dogs to keep the line strong.

   Similarmate, cross, pair

   Note
7. 7
   verbtransitive

   To cause something to grow or develop, often slowly.

   Like one small spark that can start a big fire.

   Bad habits can breed more problems over time.

   Fear often breeds anger.

   Similarfoster, cause, generate, engender, produce

   Note
8. 8
   verbtransitive

   To grow plants with care so the new ones have the qualities you want.

   Gardeners breed flowers to get brighter colors.

   She breeds apples that stay sweet after picking.

   Similardevelop, propagate, cultivate, grow, raise

9. 9
   nouncountable

   A family line, and the young and descendants that come from it.

   He comes from a tough breed of fishermen.

   They were a proud breed of desert travelers.

   Similarline, lineage, stock, family, race

   Note
10. 10
    verbtransitive

    To give birth to young, or to be the home where a kind of creature comes from.

    Rabbits breed several litters each year.

    The warm tropics breed many unique species.

    Similarproduce, spawn, bear

    Note

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