Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

inbreed

verb

/ˈɪn.briːd/

Definition

To breed from closely related individuals, especially in animals, leading to reduced genetic diversity.

Examples

Some animal species in isolated environments may inbreed, resulting in health complications.
The farmers were advised against inbreeding their livestock to avoid genetic defects.
Inbreeding among certain plant species can produce uniform traits, but may also reduce resilience to disease.

Meaning

Inbreeding occurs when individuals that are closely related mate and produce offspring, which can lead to various genetic issues and health problems due to a lack of genetic variation.