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.
The detection came in a commercial broiler breeder chicken flock in Mississippi, the World Organization of Animal Health said. Donnelle Eller, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025 The proliferation of fast breeder recycling of spent fuel, already the norm in France and Russia, provides an opportunity to address these problems and make storage easier by reducing the quantities of leftover material. Ariel Cohen, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025 This week, the USDA announced finding a new type of bird flu in a broiler chicken breeder flock: a highly pathogenic avian influenza H7N9. Ars Technica, 19 Mar. 2025 According to Hood, the concerned individual who called her rescue was a family member of the backyard breeder who was worried about the dogs under the breeder's care. Kelli Bender, People.com, 10 Mar. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Breeder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breeder. Accessed 2 Apr. 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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