cross·breed
ˈkrȯs-ˌbrēd 
-ˈbrēd
crossbred
ˈkrȯs-ˌbred
-ˈbred
; crossbreeding
-ˈbred
; crossbreeding
: to engage in or undergo hybridization
cross·breed
ˈkrȯs-ˌbrēd
: hybrid
Examples of crossbreed in a Sentence
Noun
a Siamese crossbreed who was atypically black, but had the build and voice of a Siamese
Recent Examples on the Web
Marta Zaraska, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2025
Scientists believe that the European bison is a hybrid, called a wisent, that arose from crossbreeding now-extinct steppe bison with the aurochs, or the larger ancestor of modern cattle.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025
Jay R. Jordan, Axios, 24 Mar. 2025
By selecting various friends in her wanderings, Sophie’s mom had spawned not just one sort of crossbreed, but several in that same litter.
—Charles Hammer, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crossbreed
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Verb
But certain rare species could be used both to partly replace crops in areas that are becoming too hot for them and to crossbreed new, sturdier strains.
—Marta Zaraska, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Apr. 2025
Scientists believe that the European bison is a hybrid, called a wisent, that arose from crossbreeding now-extinct steppe bison with the aurochs, or the larger ancestor of modern cattle.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
Zoom in: High school junior Jett Hale, from Miami, Texas, fetched the reserve record with his steer, Mike, a stunning charolais crossbreed.
—Jay R. Jordan, Axios, 24 Mar. 2025
By selecting various friends in her wanderings, Sophie’s mom had spawned not just one sort of crossbreed, but several in that same litter.
—Charles Hammer, Kansas City Star, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crossbreed
Cite this Entry
“Crossbreed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crossbreed. Accessed 12 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
crossbreed
1 of 2 verb
cross·breed
ˈkrȯs-ˌbrēd
-ˈbrēd
: hybridize
especially
: to cross two varieties or breeds of the same species
crossbreed
2 of 2 noun
cross·breed
-ˌbrēd
Medical Definition
crossbreed
1 of 2 verb
cross·breed
ˈkrȯs-ˌbrēd, -ˈbrēd
crossbred
-ˌbred, -ˈbred
; crossbreeding
; crossbreeding
: to engage in or undergo crossing or hybridization
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