cross·breed
ˈkrȯs-ˌbrēd 
-ˈbrēd
crossbred
ˈkrȯs-ˌbred
-ˈbred
; crossbreeding
-ˈbred
; crossbreeding
: to engage in or undergo hybridization
cross·breed
ˈkrȯs-ˌbrēd
: hybrid
Examples of crossbreed in a Sentence
Noun
a Siamese crossbreed who was atypically black, but had the build and voice of a Siamese
Recent Examples on the Web
Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Oct. 2024
Bees in Southern California, originally from Europe, started crossbreeding with Africanized bees in the 1990s, said Orange County beekeeper Mike Henderson.
—Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2024
Lucy Notarantonio, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
This number, however, does not include mixed-breed dogs or designer crossbreeds, such as the Goldendoodle (a golden retriever-poodle mix) or Cockapoo (a cocker spaniel-poodle mix).
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 9 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for crossbreed 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
This helped the team be sure the observed muscles did not come from crossbreeding.
Since 2019, researchers have hypothesized about how this endearing trait evolved in canines.
—Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Oct. 2024
Bees in Southern California, originally from Europe, started crossbreeding with Africanized bees in the 1990s, said Orange County beekeeper Mike Henderson.
—Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2024
Noun
One of the pups featured in the video is five-year-old Tegan, a crossbreed who arrived at the shelter in July 2022, while pregnant with eight puppies.
—Lucy Notarantonio, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
This number, however, does not include mixed-breed dogs or designer crossbreeds, such as the Goldendoodle (a golden retriever-poodle mix) or Cockapoo (a cocker spaniel-poodle mix).
—Olivia Munson, USA TODAY, 9 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for crossbreed
Dictionary Entries Near crossbreed
Cite this Entry
“Crossbreed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crossbreed. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
crossbreed
1 of 2 verb
cross·breed
ˈkrȯs-ˌbrēd
-ˈbrēd
: hybridize
especially
: to cross two varieties or breeds of the same species
crossbreed
2 of 2 noun
cross·breed
-ˌbrēd
Medical Definition
crossbreed
1 of 2 verb
cross·breed
ˈkrȯs-ˌbrēd, -ˈbrēd
crossbred
-ˌbred, -ˈbred
; crossbreeding
; crossbreeding
: to engage in or undergo crossing or hybridization
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share