Pronunciation: (brēd), Strict Standards: Non-static method FenSites::linkTo() should not be called statically in /site/html/dictionary/breed.html on line 73 [key]
—v., bred, breed•ing,
1. to produce (offspring); procreate; engender.
2. to produce by mating; propagate sexually; reproduce: Ten mice were bred in the laboratory.
a. to cause to reproduce by controlled pollination.
b. to improve by controlled pollination and selection.
4. to raise (cattle, sheep, etc.): He breeds longhorns on the ranch.
5. to cause or be the source of; engender; give rise to: Dirt breeds disease. Stagnant water breeds mosquitoes.
6. to develop by training or education; bring up; rear: He was born and bred a gentleman.
7. Energy.to produce more fissile nuclear fuel than is consumed in a reactor.
8. to impregnate; mate: Breed a strong mare with a fast stallion and hope for a Derby winner.
1. to produce offspring: Many animals breed in the spring.
2. to be engendered or produced; grow; develop: Bacteria will not breed in alcohol.
3. to cause the birth of young, as in raising stock.
4. to be pregnant.
1. Genetics.a relatively homogenous group of animals within a species, developed and maintained by humans.
2. lineage; stock; strain: She comes from a fine breed of people.
3. sort; kind; group: Scholars are a quiet breed.
4. Offensive.half-breed (def. 2).
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.