mating
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the act of two animals coming together to have sex and produce young.
n.the pairing of organisms for copulation and reproduction. Uncountable in a general sense, but countable when referring to specific instances.
Simple“Spring is the main mating season for many birds in this forest.”
In context“Biologists observed the complex mating rituals of the birds of paradise, noting how the males used vibrant plumage to attract a partner.”
- 02 C1 Advanced
adj.describing two parts that are designed to fit perfectly into each other.
adj.denoting two or more parts that fit together or correspond exactly, such as a plug and a socket.
Simple“Check that the mating surfaces of the two pipes are clean before joining them.”
In context“The engineer specified that the mating components must be machined to a high tolerance to ensure a vacuum-tight seal.”
SynonymsAntonyms
“After choosing a partner and mating, females typically lay one to four eggs.”
“Every winter, a sliver of the South Australian coast hosts the world's largest mating event for giant cuttlefish.”