bred I. past of breed I II. \|bred\adjective Etymology: from past participle of breed 1.: reared or born and reared in (such) a way : inculcated with the (specified) traditions — often in compounds < a farm-bred youth > < city-bred people > 2.: of (specified) breed — usually used in compounds < purebred > < crossbred > 3.of a female animal: impregnated