# Bred

/ˈbɹɛd/ (US) · /bɹˈɛd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bred
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. raised or produced

verb · CEFR B2

the past tense of 'breed' — used when animals were raised or plants were grown for a specific purpose.

For teachers: the past tense and past participle of 'breed', referring to the controlled reproduction of animals or plants to produce specific traits.

- These dogs were originally bred to help farmers herd sheep in the mountains.
- The laboratory developed a new strain of wheat that was specifically bred for its resistance to drought and common fungal infections.

Usage: As a past participle, it often functions as an adjective describing the origin or purpose of an organism.

### 2. upbringing

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

used to describe the way someone was raised or the environment they grew up in.

For teachers: the past participle of 'breed', used to denote a person's upbringing, social background, or ingrained manners.

- He was born and bred in a small fishing village on the coast.
- Her quiet confidence suggested she was well bred, possessing a natural grace that only comes from a disciplined upbringing.

Usage: Commonly found in the fixed idiom 'born and bred' to emphasize a person's lifelong connection to a place.

## Examples

- The farmer bred sheep for their high-quality wool.
- She was born and bred in a small village, so she found the city quite overwhelming.
- The researchers bred several generations of fruit flies to observe how specific genetic traits were passed down in a controlled environment.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.