domesticate
verb
do·mes·ti·cate
| \ də-ˈme-sti-ˌkāt
\
\
domesticated;
domesticating
Definition of domesticate
(Entry 1 of 2)
2
: to adapt (an animal or plant) over time from a wild or natural state especially by selective breeding to life in close association with and to the benefit of humans
The Asian equids, including the now-endangered Przewalski's horse, apparently provided the stock from which the horse was domesticated five to six thousand years ago.— Bruce J. MacFadden But every reader addicted to coffee can thank ancient Ethiopian farmers for domesticating the coffee plant.— Jared Diamond
3
: to cause to become adapted to life in a household : to make fit for domestic life
wasn't interested in becoming domesticated
4
: to bring to the level of ordinary people
domesticate
noun
do·mes·ti·cate
| \ də-ˈme-sti-kət
, -ˌkāt\
, -ˌkāt\
Definition of domesticate (Entry 2 of 2)
: a domesticated (see domesticate entry 1 sense 2) animal or plant
Examples of domesticate in a Sentence
Verb
Horses and oxen have been domesticated to work on farms. She jokes that dogs are easier to domesticate than men.Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
As the only known hosts of the parasite, domesticated and feral felines then spread deadly strains into their environment through oocysts—egg-like structures teeming with millions of immature T. gondii—shed in feces. — Meilan Solly, Smithsonian, "Parasite Spread by House Cats Is Killing California’s Sea Otters," 30 Aug. 2019 Tomatoes were a crop domesticated by the Aztec Indians. — Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Carlsbad, Baja chefs aim to heal border rift over the dinner table," 12 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'domesticate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for domesticate
domesticate
verb
English Language Learners Definition of domesticate
: to breed or train (an animal) to need and accept the care of human beings : to tame (an animal)
: to grow (a plant) for human use
humorous
: to train (someone) to behave in an appropriate way at home (such as by using good manners, being polite, being helpful, etc.)
See the full definition for domesticate in the English Language Learners Dictionary
domesticate
verb
do·mes·ti·cate
| \ də-ˈme-sti-ˌkāt
\
\
domesticated;
domesticating
Kids Definition of domesticate
: to bring under the control of and make usable by humans
Humans domesticated dogs thousands of years ago.
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