This meaning means making animals have babies. People often do this to get animals with good qualities. It is used with animals like dogs, cows, or horses.
Farmers breed cows for milk.
Some dogs breed in spring.
In this meaning, breed means to cause or create a feeling, idea, or problem. It is often used for negative things like anger or trouble.
His words breed hate.
Fear can breed anger fast.
This meaning is a noun that means a group of animals or plants with the same traits. For example, a breed of dog means one type of dog.
This dog is a good breed.
She has many breeds of flowers.
Here, breed means to keep and care for animals to have babies. It is often done on farms or by hobbyists who want specific types of animals.
They breed horses on their farm.
People breed dogs for shows.
In this meaning, breed means to make something grow inside a person, like a feeling or habit. It often relates to negative things but can be neutral too.
Work stress can breed bad habits.
Fear breeds silence in people.