Breeding has 10 different meanings across 3 categories:
Noun · Adjective · Proper Noun
elegance by virtue of fineness of manner and expression
"The queen possessed a breeding that was evident in her graceful movements and refined demeanor."
helping someone grow up to be an accepted member of the community
"they debated whether nature or nurture was more important"
the production of animals or plants by inbreeding or hybridization
"The local farm specializes in breeding rare dog breeds through careful selective mating to preserve their unique traits."
the sexual activity of conceiving and bearing offspring
"The couple decided to stop breeding their dogs after they had already raised three litters."
Propagation of offspring through sexual reproduction.
"The farmer carefully monitored the breeding season to ensure healthy propagation of offspring through sexual reproduction among his cattle herd."
In plain English: Breeding is having good manners and behaving politely toward others.
"The farm has excellent breeding stock that produces healthy calves every year."
Usage: As a noun, "breeding" refers specifically to the propagation of offspring through sexual reproduction rather than general raising of young. Use this term when discussing animal husbandry or genetic lineage instead of synonyms like rearing or upbringing which imply care and education without necessarily involving mating.
present participle of breed
"The male dog was caught in the act of breeding his neighbor's female."
In plain English: Breeding means producing offspring by mating with another animal of the same species.
"The dog was breeding puppies in her backyard kennel."
producing offspring or set aside especially for producing offspring
"the breeding population"
"retained a few bulls for breeding purposes"
Of, relating to or used for breeding.
"The breeder selected a stallion specifically because of his exceptional breeding."
In plain English: Breeding describes someone who has good manners and behaves politely because they were raised with proper training.
"The breeding conditions in that pond are perfect for raising healthy fish."
A surname.
"The Breeding family has lived in this town for over a century."
The word breeding comes from the Middle English term breedyng, which originally referred to gestation, incubation, and the general process of growth or development. It entered modern usage by combining the root for "breed" with a suffix indicating an ongoing action or state.