inbreeding

[ in-bree-ding ]
/ ˈɪnˌbri dɪŋ /

noun Biology.

the mating of closely related individuals, as cousins, sire-daughter, brother-sister, or self-fertilized plants, which tends to increase the number of individuals that are homozygous for a trait and therefore increases the appearance of recessive traits.

Origin of inbreeding

First recorded in 1835–45; inbreed + -ing1

Words nearby inbreeding

Definition for inbreeding (2 of 2)

inbreed
[ in-breed, in-breed ]
/ ˈɪnˌbrid, ɪnˈbrid /

verb (used with object), in·bred, in·breed·ing.

to breed (individuals of a closely related group) repeatedly.
to breed within; engender.

verb (used without object), in·bred, in·breed·ing.

to engage in or undergo inbreeding.

Origin of inbreed

First recorded in 1590–1600; in-1 + breed

Example sentences from the Web for inbreeding

British Dictionary definitions for inbreeding

inbreed
/ (ˈɪnˈbriːd) /

verb -breeds, -breeding or -bred

to breed from unions between closely related individuals, esp over several generations
(tr) to develop within; engender

Derived forms of inbreed

inbreeding, noun, adjective

Medical definitions for inbreeding

inbreeding
[ ĭnbrē′dĭng ]

n.

homogamy
The continued breeding of closely related individuals so as to preserve desirable traits in a stock.

Scientific definitions for inbreeding

inbreeding
[ ĭnbrē′dĭng ]

The breeding or mating of related individuals within an isolated or closed group of organisms or people. Inbreeding can result in inbreeding depression. However, in agriculture and animal husbandry, the continued breeding of closely related individuals can help to preserve desirable traits in a stock.