breeder

noun

breed·​er ˈbrē-dər How to pronounce breeder (audio)
: one that breeds: such as
a
: an animal or plant kept for propagation
b
: one engaged in the breeding of a specified organism
c
: a nuclear reactor designed to produce more fissionable material than it uses as fuel

called also breeder reactor

Examples of breeder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This used to be an oddball little plant that showed up in eclectic collections, but breeders have worked hard in recent years to bring us stronger colors with brighter variegation (white included). Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Mar. 2025 The dog's breeder contacted the family after seeing photos posted by the animal shelter. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025 The people here came from all over, too—a blend of small-town breeders, lifelong show pros, and juniors stepping into the ring for the first time, carrying on a family tradition. Savannah White, Glamour, 18 Feb. 2025 For all its beauty, the variety began as a mistake, when Dutch breeder Jan Spek Rozen discovered unusual traits that an ordinary rose assumed when grown on the Andean plateau. Thomas Curwen, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for breeder

Word History

First Known Use

1531, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of breeder was in 1531

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Breeder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breeder. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.

Medical Definition

breeder

noun
breed·​er
: one that breeds: as
a
: an animal or plant kept for propagation
b
: one engaged in the breeding of a specified organism

More from Merriam-Webster on breeder

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