selective breeding
noun
: the process of modifying the characteristics of living things especially to enhance one or more desirable traits by selection in breeding controlled by humans
After about three years of selective breeding, their company, Cavendish Game Birds, was able to deliver quail that consistently dressed out to seven or eight ounces.—
Warren Schultz
Warren SchultzSelective breeding continues in an attempt to enhance the human use of this economic plant against a background of disappointingly low rubber content …—John M. Miller and Ralph A. Backhaus
John M. Miller and Ralph A. BackhausFixed through selective breeding, traits could vanish over several generations if people became careless in choosing their dogs' mates.—Mark Derr
Mark Derrcalled also artificial selection
Examples of selective breeding in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Through selective breeding, the domestic silk moths became less capable of flight and evading predators, eventually relying entirely on human care for their survival.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Micro bullies emerged after two decades of selective breeding the most petite American bullies, an article from New Pitbull stated.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
While humans have demonstrated the ability to drive rapid physical changes in dogs through selective breeding, the study finds little evidence linking these changes to task specialization.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 5 Feb. 2025
The Persian cat remains an icon of feline elegance, but its modern iteration raises questions about the ethical implications of selective breeding.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
The cannabis plant has evolved significantly due to selective breeding, and pure indica or sativa landraces are now extremely rare.
—Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 17 Dec. 2024
The official website states farm animals face significant abuses, including severe confinement; painful mutilations without anesthesia; and selective breeding for excessive production that harms their well-being.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
The selective breeding that created these exaggerated features has led to higher incidences of skin infections due to excessive folds and even spinal deformities.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
However, these noises often signal breathing struggles, which are indicative of serious health and welfare issues stemming from selective breeding.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
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Scott Travers, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Micro bullies emerged after two decades of selective breeding the most petite American bullies, an article from New Pitbull stated.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
While humans have demonstrated the ability to drive rapid physical changes in dogs through selective breeding, the study finds little evidence linking these changes to task specialization.
—Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 5 Feb. 2025
The Persian cat remains an icon of feline elegance, but its modern iteration raises questions about the ethical implications of selective breeding.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
The cannabis plant has evolved significantly due to selective breeding, and pure indica or sativa landraces are now extremely rare.
—Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 17 Dec. 2024
The official website states farm animals face significant abuses, including severe confinement; painful mutilations without anesthesia; and selective breeding for excessive production that harms their well-being.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
The selective breeding that created these exaggerated features has led to higher incidences of skin infections due to excessive folds and even spinal deformities.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
However, these noises often signal breathing struggles, which are indicative of serious health and welfare issues stemming from selective breeding.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Selective breeding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/selective%20breeding. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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