# breeder

/ˈbɹidɝ/ (US) · /bɹˈiːdɐ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. animal/plant professional

noun · CEFR B2

a person who raises animals or plants to produce new ones with specific qualities.

For teachers: a person who practices the controlled propagation of animals or plants, typically to maintain or improve specific genetic traits.

- The dog breeder showed us the puppies and their mother.
- The award-winning rose breeder spent decades cross-pollinating different varieties to achieve that specific shade of deep violet.

### 3. a parent

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · Informal

a rude way to describe a person who has children or is very focused on their kids.

For teachers: a derogatory term for a parent, typically used to imply that their life is entirely consumed by child-rearing.

- The restaurant was crowded with breeders and their noisy toddlers.
- The online forum was notorious for its hostile attitude toward parents, frequently referring to them as breeders.

Teaching tip: This sense is highly informal and usually intended to be insulting to parents.

### 4. nuclear reactor

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a type of nuclear reactor that makes more fuel than it uses.

For teachers: a nuclear reactor that produces more fissile material than it consumes, typically by converting fertile isotopes into fissile ones.

- The government invested in a new breeder to improve energy efficiency.
- The experimental breeder was designed to utilize uranium-238 more effectively than conventional light-water reactors.

## Examples

- The breeder showed her prize-winning dogs.
- The local breeder sells purebred puppies to families looking for loyal companions.
- A skilled breeder carefully selects pairs with complementary traits to improve the health and temperament of the next generation.

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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.