Breed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'breed' is correct and is commonly used in written English.
It can be used as a noun or a verb. As a noun, 'breed' refers to a specific type or variety of animal, plant, or person that has been produced or developed through natural or artificial selection. For example: - The golden retriever is a popular breed of dog. - This farm specializes in breeding horses for racing. As a verb, 'breed' means to produce offspring, often through controlled mating. It can also refer to the act of raising and caring for animals or plants in a specific way. For example: - The zoo is working to breed endangered species in captivity. - She bred rare orchids in her greenhouse. Overall, 'breed' can be used whenever discussing the process of producing or raising a particular type or species of creature.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Along with Ben Shewry at Attica and Dan Hunter at Brae, Jock Zonfrillo of Orana in Adelaide is a leader of a new breed of chefs who have steered away from the country's Med and Thai obsessions to champion indigenous ingredients and flavours.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The ancient race of vinyl enthusiasts who had once haunted record stores and swap meets was dying out, superseded by a mutant breed of torrent obsessives.

The Guardian - Books

He is the author of a book on the Akhal-Teke breed and took Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on a horseback tour of a giant complex for 400 of the horses outside the capital Ashgabat last year.

The Guardian

The most obvious dangers to favela residents include" health risks from the overflow of inadequate sewage systems; an outbreak of dengue fever in the city from mosquitoes that breed in standing water; and the high risk, due to the tightly packed wooden constructions, of fire.

The Guardian

Scott Stossel, deputy editor of the Atlantic magazine, went a step further and joked on his Twitter feed: "Huntsman daughters and Romney sons should get together and breed, creating a super-race of astonishingly beautiful Mormons".

The Guardian

"We have allowed them to settle in to their own communities and they have no desire to mix, they would rather take over areas and breed like rabbits," he said, according to a report in the Manchester Evening News.

The Guardian

The Turkmen president is fond of horse-riding and has promoted Turkmenistan's famous Akhal-Teke breed.

The Guardian

The rise of the web has spawned a new breed of cartographers and topologists trying to map out its characteristics.

The Guardian - Tech

And will success breed price hikes as in so many other leagues?

The Guardian

But the trend may also breed hostility, suspicion, and social tension, he warns.

The Guardian

With more than 20 million followers on Twitter and photo-sharing service Instagram, Kardashian became a star on TV but is now indicative of a new breed who can reach their fans without it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "breed" as a verb, ensure the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to animals, plants, or even abstract concepts like feelings or ideas. Clarity prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "breed" excessively in formal writing when referring to the creation of ideas or feelings. Alternatives like "generate", "foster", or "cultivate" often sound more sophisticated and appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The word "Breed" functions as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it typically refers to a specific type of animal or plant. As a verb, it means to produce offspring, especially through selective mating. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "Breed" is a versatile term functioning as both a noun and a verb, commonly employed to describe the reproduction and classification of living organisms. As highlighted by Ludwig, it sees frequent use across diverse contexts, ranging from scientific discourse to news media. While grammatically sound, it's advisable to use caution in very formal settings, opting for alternatives like "generate" or "cultivate" when appropriate. The frequency analysis indicates its prevalence in "News & Media", "Science", and "Formal & Business" contexts, making it a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Reproduce

Focuses specifically on the act of creating offspring.

Propagate

Emphasizes the spreading or multiplication of something, often plants.

Cultivate

Highlights the careful development or fostering of something.

Raise

Implies nurturing and bringing up, often used for animals or children.

Rear

Similar to "raise", but with a stronger emphasis on the upbringing.

Generate

Focuses on the creation or production of something.

Produce

A general term for creating or yielding something.

Give birth to

Specifically refers to the act of bearing offspring.

Type

Refers to a category or kind, emphasizing classification.

Lineage

Emphasizes ancestry or descent.

FAQs

How can I use "breed" in a sentence?

You can use "breed" in sentences like "The farmer wants to breed his best cow with a prize-winning bull" or "Poverty can breed desperation".

What is the difference between "breed" and "reproduce"?

"Breed" often implies intentional selection for specific traits, while "reproduce" is a more general term for creating offspring.

What does it mean when someone says a person is a 'dying breed'?

It means they belong to a group of people with characteristics that are becoming rare or extinct. For example you can say that "Loyal customers are a "dying breed"".

Can "breed" be used in a non-biological context?

Yes, "breed" can be used metaphorically to describe how certain conditions or situations can give rise to other things, such as "neglect can breed resentment".