Standard Lemma guide

interbreed

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ɪnteɹˈbɹid/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -iːd

1

verb

Meaning 1

To breed or reproduce within an isolated community.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To breed or reproduce within a heterogenous community, the products of which produce hybrids.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: ambitransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

breed animals or plants using parents of different races and varieties

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • cross a horse and a donkey
  • Mendel tried crossbreeding
  • these species do not interbreed

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: crossbreed, cross, hybridize, hybridise

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: breed

Narrower terms: backcross

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h1én Proto-Indo-European *h1entér Proto-Italic *n̥ter Latin inter Latin inter-bor. English inter- English breed English interbreed From inter- + breed.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: intelen — to breed or reproduce within an isolated community
  • Bulgarian: кръстосвам (krǎstosvam) — to breed or reproduce within a heterogenous community, the products of which produce hybrids
  • Dutch: hybridiseren — to breed or reproduce within a heterogenous community, the products of which produce hybrids