breeding

/ˈbriːdɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [brˈidɪŋ] /ˈbriːdɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · [brˈidɪŋ] /ˈbrē-diŋ How to pronounce breeding (audio)/ (ame, mw)

breeding — noun

1. the work of raising animals or plants so they produce young with qualities peopl

1.名詞B2
釋義

the work of raising animals or plants so they produce young with qualities people want

例句

The farm started a breeding program to produce calmer dairy cows.

breeding program for selected qualities

Linh studies rose breeding and tracks which plants resist summer heat.

同義詞
  • selection

    Focuses on choosing parent stock rather than the whole process

  • propagation

    More common for plants and technical growing contexts

文法句型

breeding + program

breeding + of + animals/plants

用法筆記

Common in farming and gardening. It usually refers to planned human control over which animals or plants produce the next generation.

常見錯誤

❌The farm improved breeding by buying a larger tractor.
✅The farm improved breeding by choosing stronger parent animals.
💡this sense is about selecting plants or animals, not general farm equipment.

2. the natural act of mating and producing young in animals or other living things

2.名詞B2
釋義

the natural act of mating and producing young in animals or other living things

例句

Spring is the main breeding season for seals on this island.

fixed phrase: breeding season

The zoo moved the pandas apart after the breeding period ended.

同義詞
  • mating

    Usually points more directly to pairing or sexual activity

  • reproduction

    Broader and more scientific than breeding

反義詞
  • sterility

    Refers to the inability to produce young

文法句型

breeding season

breeding + in + place

用法筆記

Often appears in phrases like breeding season or breeding grounds. Unlike sense 1, it focuses on the animals' natural cycle rather than human selection.

常見錯誤

❌Bird breeding improved after the farmer chose larger hens.
✅Bird breeding improved after the farmer's selection plan changed.
💡sense 2 is the natural mating process, while sense 1 is planned selection.

3. polite and socially confident behaviour learned from a careful upbringing

3.名詞C1
釋義

polite and socially confident behaviour learned from a careful upbringing

例句

Nkechi's breeding showed when she thanked every server before leaving.

formal use about manners

At dinner, Defne's breeding showed in the way she greeted each guest.

同義詞
  • upbringing

    Refers more to the process of being raised than to the manners shown

  • refinement

    Stresses polished taste and behaviour, often in a slightly literary way

  • manners

    More everyday and less tied to family background

反義詞
  • rudeness

    Shows a lack of polite social behaviour

文法句型

good breeding

breeding + shows in + behaviour

用法筆記

Formal and slightly old-fashioned. It refers to manners shaped by upbringing, not to animals producing young.

常見錯誤

❌Her breeding means she raises horses.
✅Her breeding means she has polished manners from her upbringing.
💡in this sense, breeding is about social behaviour, not animals.