breedin'

Noun

breeding (countable and uncountable, plural breedings)

1. Propagation of offspring through sexual reproduction.
   • In analysing the ecological conditions of an animal population we have above all to focus our attention upon the most sensitive stages within the life cycle of the animal, that is, the period of breeding and larval development.1950, Gunnar Thorson, “Reproductive and Larval Ecology of Marine Bottom Invertebrates”, in Biological Reviews, volume 25, number 1, pages 1–45
2. The act of insemination by natural or artificial means.
3. The act of copulation in animals.
4. The good manners regarded as characteristic of the aristocracy and conferred by heredity.
5. Nurture; education; formation of manners.
   • She had her breeding at my father's charge.c. 1604–1605 (date written), William Shakespeare, “All’s Well, that Ends Well”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward]...
6. Descent; pedigree; extraction.
   • Your dog has good breeding.

See all 9 meanings of breeding