interbred

Everyday

1. (biology) Bred together: when two different kinds of animals or plants mate and have young. tree →
2. (science) Had young with a different group, species or variety, mixing their genes. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on evolution and variation, scientists say Neanderthals and early modern humans interbred, so many people today carry a little Neanderthal DNA. Lions and tigers have interbred in zoos (ligers), and horses and donkeys have mules. Farmers have interbred plants and animals to get new varieties. Phrases: interbred with, have interbred.

Examples

• Scientists found that Neanderthals and modern humans interbred long ago. tree →
• Horses and donkeys can be interbred to produce mules. tree →
• A liger is the young of a lion and tiger that interbred. tree →
• Wild wolves and dogs have sometimes interbred. tree →
• The farmer interbred two kinds of wheat to make a stronger one. tree →
• Species that have interbred share some genes. tree →

Note

Past tense and past participle are both «interbred» (like «bred»). Noun «interbreeding». Offspring of two different species, like mules, are often unable to have young themselves.