outbreed

verb

out·​breed ˈau̇t-ˌbrēd How to pronounce outbreed (audio) -ˈbrēd How to pronounce outbreed (audio)
outbred ˈau̇t-ˌbred How to pronounce outbreed (audio)
-ˈbred
 ; outbreeding

transitive verb

1
ˈau̇t-ˌbrēd How to pronounce outbreed (audio) : to subject to outbreeding
2
ˌau̇t-ˈbrēd How to pronounce outbreed (audio) : to breed faster than

Examples of outbreed 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.
Working sled dogs are typically outbred, or produced by pairing parent dogs that are genetically unlike, for speed and endurance. — Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 27 Apr. 2023 Let go by the millions, the altered males outnumber and outbreed their wild counterparts, and a large fraction of the following generation of mosquitoes inherits the transgene. — Jeff Wheelwright, Discover Magazine, 20 Feb. 2015

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of outbreed was circa 1909

Rhymes for outbreed

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Cite this Entry

“Outbreed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/outbreed. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Medical Definition

outbreed

transitive verb
out·​breed -ˈbrēd How to pronounce outbreed (audio)
outbred -ˈbred How to pronounce outbreed (audio) ; outbreeding -ˈbrēd-iŋ How to pronounce outbreed (audio)
1
: to subject to outbreeding
2
: to increase in numbers faster than the increase in (a resource or a competing population)
humans may outbreed their food supply
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