breed

/briːd/
verb
  1. To keep animals or plants in order to produce young ones, often with specific desired qualities.
    • The gardener breeds roses that are resistant to disease.
    • Farmers breed cows to get more milk.
    • They breed Labrador retrievers for their friendly temperament.
  2. To cause something to happen or develop, usually something negative.
    • Lack of communication can breed mistrust in a relationship.
    • Poverty often breeds crime in urban areas.
    • Dirty conditions breed disease.
  3. To produce offspring; to reproduce.
    • The fish breed in the shallow waters near the shore.
    • These birds breed only in the spring.
    • Rabbits breed very quickly.
noun
  1. A particular type or variety of animal or plant, especially one developed by humans.
    • This breed of chicken lays brown eggs.
    • The Golden Retriever is a popular breed of dog.
    • There are many different breeds of cats, from Persians to Siamese.
  2. A type or kind of person.
    • A new breed of artists is changing the way we think about sculpture.
    • He is a rare breed of politician who actually keeps his promises.
    • Explorers are a special breed of people who love adventure.
Synonyms
What does "breed" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean