inbreed
verb
in·breed ˈin-ˈbrēd 
inbred ˈin-ˈbred ; inbreeding
; inbreeding transitive verb
: to subject to inbreeding
intransitive verb
: to engage in inbreeding
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web When the population of a species dwindles, the remaining animals are forced to inbreed and the genetic pool shrinks, further threatening survival. 
Jacopo Prisco, CNN, 31 Mar. 2022 Southern white rhinos are threatened by inbreeding. Rafil Kroll-zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 30 Mar. 2020 Soon, almost everyone in that population may become related to the newcomers, actually speeding up inbreeding. Ashley Braun, Longreads, 24 Oct. 2019 Self-fertilization, like inbreeding in animals, should pair up harmful recessive mutations, so Schwoch expected the crosses that used pollen from one stem on flowers from another to do better. Elizabeth Pennisi, Science | AAAS, 29 Aug. 2019 Many scientists believe mating types evolved early in life’s history as a barrier against behaviors like inbreeding that might be harmful to a population or species. Quanta Magazine, 17 July 2018 And as their faces got smaller, our ancestors became more social; groups of Neanderthals and other ancient humans seem to have inbred frequently, but among modern humans, there was much more contact between different groups. Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, 10 Apr. 2018 For cancer research, this meant a stable breeding strain by which to study the biological and genetic nature of cancer in mice inbred with cancerous tumors—a realization that has defined mouse model research to this day. Leila Mcneill, Smithsonian, 20 Mar. 2018 Decimated by inbreeding, the spotted wildcat’s future depends very much on mingling with its Mexican cousins. Jeremy Schwartz, ajc, 31 Mar. 2018 See More
Jacopo Prisco, CNN, 31 Mar. 2022 Southern white rhinos are threatened by inbreeding. Rafil Kroll-zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 30 Mar. 2020 Soon, almost everyone in that population may become related to the newcomers, actually speeding up inbreeding. Ashley Braun, Longreads, 24 Oct. 2019 Self-fertilization, like inbreeding in animals, should pair up harmful recessive mutations, so Schwoch expected the crosses that used pollen from one stem on flowers from another to do better. Elizabeth Pennisi, Science | AAAS, 29 Aug. 2019 Many scientists believe mating types evolved early in life’s history as a barrier against behaviors like inbreeding that might be harmful to a population or species. Quanta Magazine, 17 July 2018 And as their faces got smaller, our ancestors became more social; groups of Neanderthals and other ancient humans seem to have inbred frequently, but among modern humans, there was much more contact between different groups. Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, 10 Apr. 2018 For cancer research, this meant a stable breeding strain by which to study the biological and genetic nature of cancer in mice inbred with cancerous tumors—a realization that has defined mouse model research to this day. Leila Mcneill, Smithsonian, 20 Mar. 2018 Decimated by inbreeding, the spotted wildcat’s future depends very much on mingling with its Mexican cousins. Jeremy Schwartz, ajc, 31 Mar. 2018 See More Word History
First Known Use
1599, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Kids Definition
inbreed
verb
in·breed ˈin-ˈbrēd
inbred
-ˈbred
; inbreeding : to breed with closely related individuals
Medical Definition
inbreed
verb
in·breed ˈin-ˈbrēd
inbred -ˈbred ; inbreeding
; inbreeding transitive verb
: to subject to inbreeding
intransitive verb
: to engage in inbreeding
- keeps (from)
- keeps (on)
- keeps (someone) posted
- keeps (to)
- keeps a few tricks up his sleeve
- keeps after
- keeps an eye on
- keeps back
- keeps clear of
- keeps company
- keeps company (with)
- keeps company with
- keeps down
- keeps from
- keeps going
- keeps in
- keeps off
- keeps on
- keeps one's attention
- keeps one's eyes open
- keeps one's eyes open (for)
- keeps one's eyes open for
- keeps out
- keeps posted
- keeps someone posted