interbreed

verb

in·​ter·​breed ˌin-tər-ˈbrēd 

interbred ˌin-tər-ˈbred  ; interbreeding

intransitive verb

: to breed together: such as

a

: crossbreed

b

: to breed within a closed population

transitive verb

: to cause to breed together

Examples of interbreed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This hybrid discovery underscores the complex interactions between ancient human species, showing that Neanderthals were not isolated but part of a dynamic web of migration and interbreeding. —Anna Nordseth, Discover Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025

By the late 1990s, even while being interbred on farms for leather, Crocodylus siamensis was believed to be extinct. —Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 Jan. 2025

For one, the study suggests modern dingoes do not interbreed with domestic dogs, contrary to what has long been assumed. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 July 2024

According to the new findings, this wave of interbreeding happened roughly 43,500 to 50,500 years ago, more recently than some previous estimates suggested. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1859, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for interbreed

• aniseed
• centipede
• cottonseed
• disagreed
• ganymede
• guaranteed
• intercede
• overspeed
• pedigreed
• refereed
• supercede
• supersede

Kids Definition

interbreed

verb

in·​ter·​breed ˌint-ər-ˈbrēd 

interbred -ˈbred  ; interbreeding

: to breed or cause to breed together: as

a

: crossbreed

b

: to breed within a population

Medical Definition

interbreed

verb

in·​ter·​breed ˌint-ər-ˈbrēd 

interbred -ˈbred  ; interbreeding

intransitive verb

: to breed together: as

a

: crossbreed

b

: to breed within a closed population

transitive verb

: to cause to breed together