# hatchery

/ˈhætʃɝi/ (US) · /hˈætʃəɹi/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hatchery
Updated: 2026-05-25

## Definition

a place where fish or other animals are kept so their eggs can be laid and the young can grow. It is like a factory for baby animals.

For teachers: a facility for the artificial propagation of fish or other aquatic organisms. Often used in the context of aquaculture or conservation efforts to replenish wild populations.

## Examples

- The local hatchery releases thousands of salmon into the river every spring.
- To prevent the local trout population from dying out, the government built a hatchery to protect the eggs from predators.
- While the hatchery was initially successful in boosting the salmon count, biologists eventually realized that the genetically uniform fish were less likely to survive the harsh conditions of the open ocean.

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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.