1 C1 formal
to raise a child or young animal until it is grown
"They bred up sheep on the hillside for generations."
separable
breed up
C1 formal separable transitive
to rear or raise from youth to maturity
In plain English
to help an animal or child grow up
What does "breed up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
The meaning is fairly transparent: breed something until it grows up.
Actually means
to help an animal or child grow up
Usage tip
Very rare and old-fashioned. Modern English usually uses 'bring up' for children and 'raise' or 'breed' for animals.
Words that pair with "breed up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
children horses cattle pups youngsters stock
How to conjugate "breed up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
breed up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
breeds up
he/she/it
Past simple
breeded up
yesterday
Past participle
breeded up
have + pp
-ing form
breeding up
continuous
Hear "breed up" in the wild
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Other ways to say "breed up"
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