breeder

1 of 2

noun (1)

breed·​er ˈbrē-dər How to pronounce breeder (audio)
: one that breeds: such as
a
: an animal or plant kept for propagation
b
: one engaged in the breeding of a specified organism
c
: a nuclear reactor designed to produce more fissionable material than it uses as fuel

called also breeder reactor

breeder tulip

2 of 2

noun (2)

variants or less commonly breeder
plural -s
: any of certain self-colored late-flowering tulips that resemble Darwin tulips but lack the rectangular flower base and are commonly somewhat more somber in coloring

Examples of breeder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Unlike many other countries, the US abandoned both breeder reactors and nuclear fuel reprocessing back in the 1970s. — David Szondy august 22, New Atlas, 22 Aug. 2026 Though the Womacks come from a line of West Virginian horse breeders, there was nothing Americana about the childhoods of BG, Zeimani and Kucha. — Morena Duwe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026 According to the primary opposition group, the California Association for the Preservation of Gamefowl, 90% of game fowl breeders are Latino. — Naomi Taxay, Sacbee.com, 15 Aug. 2026 By the time breeders brought the dog to the US, the Coton de Tulear was firmly associated with fancy folks. — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for breeder

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1529, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of breeder was in 1529

Rhymes for breeder

See All Rhymes for breeder

Browse Nearby Words

breed
breeder
Breede River yellowwood
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Breeder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breeder. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Medical Definition

breeder

noun
breed·​er
: one that breeds: as
a
: an animal or plant kept for propagation
b
: one engaged in the breeding of a specified organism
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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