inbreeding
noun
in·breed·ing
| \ ˈin-ˈbrē-diŋ
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Definition of inbreeding
1
: the interbreeding of closely related individuals especially to preserve and fix desirable characters of and to eliminate unfavorable characters from a stock
2
: confinement to a narrow range or a local or limited field of choice
Examples of inbreeding in a Sentence
genetic defects caused by inbreeding
Recent Examples on the Web
By sequencing the genome of every living bird, scientists can identify closely related individuals and prevent more inbreeding by putting them on different islands. — The Economist, "How eugenics is saving a pudgy parrot," 29 Aug. 2019 Jasmin is developing a plan to help save the dwindling dog species by using specific breeding practices designed to diminish inbreeding. — Kelly Wilkinson, Indianapolis Star, "3 of the rarest dogs in the world live in Beech Grove — and they can sing!," 27 Aug. 2019 Similarly, according to Schiffman, poaching, habitat loss, and inbreeding have caused a bottleneck that has stifled genetic diversity in many species—and among the world’s largest creatures in particular. — Doug Johnson, Quartz, "Elephants and whales could give us the cure for cancer—unless we keep killing them," 14 Aug. 2019 The expanding global human footprint is dividing the world’s flora and fauna into ever-smaller, more isolated populations that could wink out because of inbreeding, disease, or environmental change. — Elizabeth Pennisi, Science | AAAS, "Boosting genetic diversity may save vanishing animal populations. But it may also backfire," 16 July 2019 His decline demonstrates one problem with all this inbreeding. — Maureen O’hagan, Quartz, "The way we breed cows is setting them up for extinction," 24 June 2019 His decline demonstrates one problem with all this inbreeding. — Maureen O’hagan, Quartz, "The way we breed cows is setting them up for extinction," 24 June 2019 His decline demonstrates one problem with all this inbreeding. — Maureen O’hagan, Quartz, "The way we breed cows is setting them up for extinction," 24 June 2019 His decline demonstrates one problem with all this inbreeding. — Maureen O'hagan, Scientific American, "From Two Bulls, Nine Million Dairy Cows," 20 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inbreeding.' 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 inbreeding
inbreeding
noun
English Language Learners Definition of inbreeding
: a process by which animals, plants, or people are born from or produced by closely related parents
See the full definition for inbreeding in the English Language Learners Dictionary
inbreeding
noun
in·breed·ing
| \ ˈin-ˈbrēd-iŋ
\
\
Medical Definition of inbreeding
: the interbreeding of closely related individuals especially to preserve and fix desirable characters of and to eliminate unfavorable characters from a stock — compare linebreeding, outbreeding
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