What does hybridisation mean?
Hybridisation is the process of combining two different varieties, species, or kinds of material to produce a hybrid. In agriculture and biology, it usually refers to controlled crossing of plants or animals so that offspring inherit useful characteristics from both parents. The process has been important in developing crops with greater yields, stronger resistance to disease, or greater tolerance of environmental conditions. More broadly, “hybridisation” describes the blending of different elements in genetic research, technology, culture, design, and the arts. It can suggest productive exchange and innovation, but it may also carry connotations of ambiguity, because the resulting form combines previously distinct categories. The word is especially associated with scientific and technical writing, though its metaphorical uses are increasingly common. The related noun “hybrid” names the resulting organism, product, or combination, while “hybridisation” names the process.
nounThe process of producing or developing a hybrid, especially by crossing plants or animals of different varieties or species. It can also refer more broadly to the mixing of elements from different sources, such as genetic material, technologies, cultures, or artistic styles.
- The process of producing a hybrid by crossing organisms, especially plants or animals of different varieties or species.
- The mixing or combining of elements from different sources, such as genetic material, technologies, cultures, or artistic styles.
"The researchers used controlled hybridisation to create a crop variety resistant to drought."
"Plant hybridisation has been used to develop crops with improved yields and disease resistance."
"The exhibition explores the hybridisation of traditional craft with digital technology."
"Careful hybridisation can introduce useful traits while preserving important characteristics of the parent varieties."
The plural is grammatically correct but uncommon in ordinary writing.
"The experiments compared several plant hybridisations across different growing conditions."
From controlled crossings of plants and animals to blended technologies and cultural forms, hybridisation is the process of joining unlike things to produce something new.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hybridisation come from?
The word is formed in English from “hybrid” and the suffix “-isation,” which indicates the making or process of something. The component “hybrid” comes through Latin from Greek and was historically associated with offspring produced from parents of different species or kinds. The later formation in “-isation” follows the standard English pattern of naming a process with the corresponding verb “hybridise” or “hybridize.”
Related word forms
How hybridisation is actually used
In biology and agriculture, the term is usually formal and technical. In general discussion, it may be used metaphorically for the blending of different traditions, technologies, or influences. The British spelling is hybridisation; American English generally uses hybridization.
Easily confused with hybridisation
Hybridisation is the British spelling; hybridization is the corresponding American spelling of the same process.
A hybrid is an organism or other result produced through hybridisation, whereas hybridisation names the process itself.