breeder

Everyday

1. A breeder is a person who keeps animals or plants so they can have young or grow new plants, often to sell them. tree →
2. A breeder can be an animal or plant that has young. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, families sometimes buy puppies, kittens or rabbits from a breeder, and are told to choose a responsible breeder or adopt from a shelter. In science lessons about inheritance and evolution, breeders choose parents with features they want, like fast horses or big tomatoes; this is called selective breeding. Phrases: «dog breeder», «a good breeder», «plant breeder».

Examples

• We got our puppy from a breeder. tree →
• A good breeder lets you meet the puppy's mother. tree →
• The breeder keeps horses on a farm. tree →
• Plant breeders made sweeter strawberries. tree →
• Choose a responsible breeder or adopt from a shelter. tree →
• The breeder sold six kittens. tree →
• The cat breeder showed us the kittens' parents. tree →
• Breeders choose the best animals to have young. tree →
• The eel-breeder was a witty fellow, a merry guest, and brought a measure of brandy with him. tree →

Note

Countable: a breeder, breeders. From «breed» (verb) + -er. Related: «breed» as a noun means a type of animal, like «a breed of dog». Selective breeding is done by people; natural selection happens in nature.