ˌɛd͡ʒʊˈkeɪʃn̩ ˈnɜːɹ.tʃəɹ ˈɹeɪzɪŋ ˌɹiːpɹəˈdʌkʃən ˈtɹeɪnɪŋ the sexual activity of conceiving and bearing offspring the production of animals or plants by inbreeding or hybridization producing offspring or set aside especially for producing offspring the breeding population retained a few bulls for breeding purposes helping someone grow up to be an accepted member of the community they debated whether nature or nurture was more important elegance by virtue of fineness of manner and expression the result of good upbringing (especially knowledge of correct social behavior) a woman of breeding and refinement