# mating

Pronunciation: US say "MAY-ting" /ˈmeɪtɪŋ/; UK

## Noun

1. The pairing of two organisms with one another for the purpose of copulation.
   - Simple: The pairing of two animals so that they can produce young.
   - _The mating of these salmon happens only once in their lifetime._
   - _Researchers recorded several matings among the captive pandas._
2. The sexual union of two organisms; the act of copulation.
   - Simple: The act of two animals joining their bodies to produce young.
   - _Mating in fruit flies has been studied closely to understand reproduction._
   - _The brief mating of these frogs takes place in shallow water._

## Verb

3. Present participle of mate. — present participle and gerund of mate
   - Simple: Present participle of mate. Use this form for an action happening right now.
   - _The salmon are mating in the gravel beds upstream._
   - _Mating among these insects happens only at dusk._

## Adjective

4. Shaped to fit into or onto a corresponding part, like a plug and its socket.
   - Simple: Shaped to fit neatly into another part that matches it.
   - _The mating flanges must be aligned before the bolts are tightened._
   - _A thin gasket sits between the two mating surfaces to prevent leaks._

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/mating (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).