breeding
Breeding is the process of helping animals or plants have babies to create new generations.
Explanation at your level:
Breeding is about animals having babies. Farmers use breeding to get strong animals. It is also about how children learn to be polite.
We use breeding when we talk about animals or plants. It means choosing the parents to make sure the babies are healthy. It can also mean how a person was raised at home.
In agriculture, breeding refers to the controlled mating of animals. It is a systematic process. When talking about people, 'good breeding' means someone has refined manners and a polite upbringing.
Breeding is a technical term in biology for the propagation of species. However, in social contexts, it carries a nuance of class. Describing someone as 'well-bred' implies they have had a formal, high-status upbringing.
Beyond the biological, breeding is often used metaphorically. We might say a situation 'breeds' trouble, meaning it creates the conditions for it. The term is deeply connected to notions of heritage and social conditioning.
The etymological roots of breeding—from the Old English 'to cherish'—provide a deep insight into its dual usage. It bridges the gap between biological reproduction and the cultural 'nurture' of human social etiquette, reflecting historical views on nature versus nurture.
30秒でわかる単語
- Breeding is the process of producing offspring.
- It is used for animals, plants, and humans.
- In humans, it refers to upbringing and manners.
- Don't confuse it with cooking 'breading'.
Hey there! Let's talk about breeding. At its core, this word is all about creation and continuity. When we talk about animals, breeding is the act of selecting specific parents to produce offspring that might have better health, speed, or appearance. It is a very intentional process used by farmers and scientists alike.
On the flip side, you might hear someone say, 'He has good breeding.' In this context, it has nothing to do with animals! It refers to a person's upbringing. It suggests that someone was raised in a way that taught them polite manners, respect, and social grace. It is a bit of an old-fashioned term in that sense, but it is still used to describe someone who carries themselves with class.
The word breeding comes from the Old English word brēdan, which originally meant 'to cherish' or 'to keep warm.' Think about a bird sitting on its eggs—that is the literal sense of 'cherishing' the next generation! Over time, the meaning shifted from just keeping something warm to the act of raising or producing offspring.
By the 16th century, the term began to be applied to human social status. If someone was 'well-bred,' it meant they were raised in a high-status family, implying that their 'nature' was nurtured by their environment. It is fascinating how a word that started with literal warmth evolved into a complex social indicator of manners and behavior!
When using breeding, context is everything. In a scientific or agricultural setting, you will often hear phrases like 'selective breeding' or 'animal breeding.' This is neutral, objective language used to describe biological processes.
When talking about people, be careful! Using the word to describe someone's 'breeding' can sound a bit elitist or snobbish, as it implies a hierarchy of social class. It is much more common to use it in the context of animals. If you want to talk about a person's behavior, saying 'good manners' or 'polite upbringing' is usually a safer, more modern choice.
1. Breed like rabbits: To reproduce very quickly and in large numbers. Example: 'The mice in the barn are breeding like rabbits!'
2. Familiarity breeds contempt: Knowing someone too well can lead to a lack of respect. Example: 'They were best friends, but after living together, familiarity bred contempt.'
3. Well-bred: Having good manners and being raised properly. Example: 'She is a very well-bred young lady.'
4. Breed of its own: A unique type or category. Example: 'That politician is a different breed of its own.'
5. In the breeding: Something inherent or deeply ingrained. Example: 'His love for music is in the breeding.'
Breeding is an uncountable noun when referring to the general process or the quality of upbringing. You don't usually say 'a breeding' or 'breedings' unless you are referring to specific instances or types of breeding programs.
Pronunciation-wise, it is straightforward: BREE-ding. The stress is on the first syllable. It rhymes with 'feeding,' 'seeding,' and 'pleading.' In both British and American English, the IPA is /briːdɪŋ/. Remember to keep that 'd' sound clear before the '-ing' suffix!
Fun Fact
It originally referred to birds sitting on eggs!
Pronunciation Guide
Clear long 'ee' sound
Standard American 'r' and 'ee'
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it like 'breading'
- Dropping the 'g' sound
- Stressing the second syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to write
Easy to speak
Easy to listen
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
上級
Grammar to Know
Gerunds as subjects
Breeding is fun.
Uncountable nouns
Breeding is important.
Compound nouns
Breeding ground.
Examples by Level
The dog is breeding.
dog / having / babies
Present continuous
They like breeding horses.
like / making / horses
Gerund
He has good breeding.
good / manners
Noun
The farm does breeding.
farm / does / this
Noun
She likes breeding plants.
likes / plants
Gerund
It is for breeding.
for / this purpose
Prepositional phrase
They are breeding birds.
are / making / birds
Present continuous
Good breeding is nice.
manners / are / good
Subject
The farmer is interested in cattle breeding.
Selective breeding helps plants grow better.
She shows signs of excellent breeding.
The dog breeding program is very successful.
They are experts in horse breeding.
His refined breeding was obvious to everyone.
The breeding season starts in spring.
They practice careful breeding on the farm.
The zoo has a special breeding program for endangered species.
She was known for her fine breeding and quiet elegance.
Selective breeding has changed the way we grow crops.
The breeding of pedigree dogs is a controversial topic.
His manners reflect his upper-class breeding.
We need to monitor the breeding patterns of these birds.
The facility is dedicated to the breeding of rare orchids.
Good breeding is often taught from a very young age.
The company specializes in the selective breeding of high-yield wheat.
There is a certain breeding in his voice that suggests he was raised in the city.
The rapid breeding of insects can cause significant damage to the harvest.
She possessed a natural breeding that made her stand out in any crowd.
The ethics of animal breeding are frequently debated in scientific circles.
His lack of breeding became apparent when he started shouting.
The breeding cycle of this species is highly dependent on climate.
They are looking for a partner for the breeding of their prize stallion.
The social elite often valued pedigree and breeding above all else.
The constant exposure to conflict breeds a certain cynicism in the population.
Genetic breeding techniques have revolutionized modern agriculture.
Her aristocratic breeding was evident in every gesture.
The breeding of resentment among the workers was a major concern for the management.
He treated the animals with the care required for successful breeding.
The cultural breeding of the youth is the responsibility of the community.
Such behavior is simply not consistent with his background and breeding.
The intersection of biological breeding and social conditioning remains a subject of intense academic scrutiny.
One might argue that the breeding of high-performance athletes is as much about environment as it is about genetics.
The subtle nuances of her breeding were lost on those who did not understand the local customs.
The breeding of dissent within the ranks was the primary cause of the rebellion.
In the Victorian era, the notion of 'breeding' was inextricably linked to one's lineage and social standing.
The meticulous breeding of these roses has resulted in a unique color profile.
His disdain for the common folk was a product of his aristocratic breeding.
The breeding of these fish requires a very specific water temperature and pH balance.
類義語
反対語
よく使う組み合わせ
Idioms & Expressions
"breed like rabbits"
to have many children quickly
They have so many kids, they breed like rabbits!
casual"familiarity breeds contempt"
knowing someone too well causes dislike
Stop spending every second together; familiarity breeds contempt.
formal"a different breed"
a unique type of person or thing
She is a different breed of athlete.
neutral"well-bred"
polite and refined
He is a very well-bred gentleman.
neutral"in the breeding"
something part of one's nature
His talent is in the breeding.
literary"breeding stock"
animals kept for reproduction
We need to select the best breeding stock.
formalEasily Confused
Sounds identical
Breading is for food, breeding is for life
I am breading the chicken vs I am breeding dogs.
Both refer to raising
Rearing is specifically for children/animals
Rearing children is hard.
Refers to manners
Upbringing is the process, breeding is the result
His upbringing was good.
Related to breeding
Pedigree is the history, breeding is the action
The dog has a pedigree.
Sentence Patterns
The breeding of [noun] is...
The breeding of horses is popular.
He has [adjective] breeding.
He has excellent breeding.
Selective breeding for [noun]...
Selective breeding for speed is common.
The [noun] is a breeding ground for...
The lake is a breeding ground for flies.
They focus on the breeding of...
They focus on the breeding of plants.
語族
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
関連
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
よくある間違い
Breeding sounds like animal farming when used for humans.
Breading is for fried chicken; breeding is for life.
Breeding is a noun; the verb is 'to breed'.
Breeding refers to manners, not academic grades.
It is an uncountable noun.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a farm inside a school.
When Native Speakers Use It
Usually in farming or biology.
Cultural Insight
Don't call people 'well-bred' in casual settings.
Grammar Shortcut
It is always singular.
Say It Right
Long 'ee' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't confuse with cooking.
Did You Know?
It meant 'to cherish'.
Study Smart
Use flashcards with animal pictures.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
B-R-E-E-D-I-N-G: Big Results Emerge Every Day In New Generations.
Visual Association
A farmer holding a prize-winning cow.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Use the word 'breeding' in a sentence about a plant today.
語源
Old English
Original meaning: To cherish or keep warm
文化的な背景
Avoid using it for humans in professional settings as it can sound classist.
Often used in rural contexts for farming and in social contexts for class.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at the farm
- breeding season
- breeding stock
- selective breeding
in biology class
- breeding program
- breeding patterns
- genetic breeding
describing people
- well-bred
- good breeding
- refined manners
nature documentaries
- breeding ground
- breeding cycle
- breeding pair
Conversation Starters
"Do you think selective breeding is ethical?"
"What do you think makes someone 'well-bred'?"
"Have you ever seen a breeding program for animals?"
"How does the breeding season affect wildlife?"
"Is nature or nurture more important for a person's manners?"
Journal Prompts
Write about the importance of animal breeding in modern society.
Describe what 'good breeding' means to you.
Reflect on the ethics of selective breeding.
How does your upbringing influence your current manners?
よくある質問
8 問No, breading is for cooking chicken!
Yes, but be careful as it can sound elitist.
No, it is a noun; the verb is 'breed'.
Choosing parents to get specific traits.
Not exactly, it means manners.
BREE-ding.
No, it is uncountable.
Old English.
自分をテスト
The farmer is ___ horses.
Breeding is the correct term for animal reproduction.
What does 'good breeding' mean?
It refers to social upbringing and manners.
Breeding can be used for both animals and people.
Yes, though the meaning differs by context.
Word
意味
Matching terms to meanings.
The breeding program is important.
スコア： /5
Summary
Breeding is about creating life through care or defining a person's social grace.
- Breeding is the process of producing offspring.
- It is used for animals, plants, and humans.
- In humans, it refers to upbringing and manners.
- Don't confuse it with cooking 'breading'.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a farm inside a school.
When Native Speakers Use It
Usually in farming or biology.
Cultural Insight
Don't call people 'well-bred' in casual settings.
Grammar Shortcut
It is always singular.
例文
The family has been involved in dog breeding for three generations.
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