What does breeder mean?
A breeder is a person who breeds animals or plants, deliberately selecting parent stock to produce offspring with desirable traits such as temperament, appearance, productivity, or disease resistance. Breeders work across many fields — pedigree dogs and cats, livestock like cattle and sheep, racehorses, ornamental flowers, and food crops — and the term implies knowledge of genetics and careful record-keeping rather than casual animal husbandry. The word also applies to an animal itself: a 'good breeder' among a herd is a female that reliably produces healthy young. Less formally, and sometimes with a critical edge, 'breeder' can describe a person who has many children, a usage common in online discussions where it may be intended dismissively. Derived from the verb 'breed', which traces back through Middle English to Old English brēdan, meaning to nourish and bring forth offspring, the word carries connotations of stewardship, patience, and long-term planning.
A person who breeds animals or plants, especially as a profession or serious pursuit, using selective mating to produce desired characteristics.
"A respected rose breeder introduced three new cultivars this season."
Neutral and professional in agricultural, horticultural, and pet-breeding contexts.
An animal, especially a female, kept for producing offspring.
"The farm keeps two dozen ewes as breeders and sells the rest as lambs."
(Informal, sometimes derogatory) A person who has many children, or who chooses to have biological children.
"Some online forums use 'breeder' dismissively to describe parents of large families."
This sense can sound contemptuous; avoid in formal writing.
Regular plural; standard in both British and American English.
"Local breeders gathered at the spring livestock auction."
The same word that describes someone carefully pairing champion dogs is also used — sometimes pointedly — for parents of large families.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of breeder
The noun 'breeder' is formed from the verb 'breed' with the agentive suffix '-er', and simply denotes one who breeds. 'Breed' descends from Old English brēdan, meaning to nourish, cherish, or bring forth young, related to 'brood'. The agent noun has been used since at least the early modern period for those who raise animals, and later extended by analogy to plant breeding and, informally, to prolific human parenting.
Related word forms
How breeder is actually used
In its primary sense the word is neutral and professional. The informal sense referring to people with children can carry a mocking or derogatory tone, especially in internet slang, so care is needed with register. In agriculture and horticulture, 'breeder' denotes skilled, technical expertise in selective breeding.
Easily confused with breeder
A broker arranges transactions between parties, while a breeder produces or raises animals or plants.