breeding ground: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal and Informal
Quick answer
What does “breeding ground” mean?
A place where animals or plants naturally reproduce and develop.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A place where animals or plants naturally reproduce and develop.
A place or situation where something, especially something negative or undesirable, originates, develops, or is encouraged.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. Slight preference in UK English for 'breeding ground' in literal wildlife contexts; US English may more frequently use 'hotbed' in metaphorical contexts.
Connotations
Identical. Both use the term literally for biology and metaphorically for the origins of negative phenomena (corruption, extremism) or, less commonly, positive ones (innovation).
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties. The phrase is well-established.
Grammar
How to Use “breeding ground” in a Sentence
[place] is a breeding ground for [problem/talent][situation] provides the perfect breeding ground for [idea]to act as a breeding groundVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “breeding ground” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The stagnant water was breeding grounds for insects.
- Conditions that breed ground for dissent are dangerous.
American English
- The swamp breeds grounds for all sorts of pests.
- Such inequality breeds ground for social unrest.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as a standard adverb form.
American English
- Not applicable as a standard adverb form.
adjective
British English
- The breeding-ground potential of the site was assessed.
- We identified a breeding-ground phenomenon.
American English
- The breeding-ground capacity of the lake is high.
- It's a classic breeding-ground scenario for bacteria.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The lack of clear regulations became a breeding ground for fraudulent schemes.
Academic
Post-war economic instability is often cited as a breeding ground for political extremism.
Everyday
That neglected pond is a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Technical
The wetland serves as a crucial breeding ground for several endangered bird species.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “breeding ground”
- Using 'bread ground' (spelling error). Using it positively without context can confuse: 'The university is a breeding ground' sounds negative unless specified: '...for brilliant scientists'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it's less common. It requires clear positive context, e.g., 'a breeding ground for talent' or 'a breeding ground for new ideas'. Without context, the default connotation is negative.
They are largely synonymous in metaphorical use. 'Hotbed' often implies more intense, active, or widespread activity ('a hotbed of rebellion'). 'Breeding ground' focuses more on the origin and conditions that cause something to develop.
It is a compound noun, written as two separate words: 'breeding ground'. The hyphenated form 'breeding-ground' is sometimes seen when used attributively (before a noun), e.g., 'a breeding-ground environment', but the two-word form is more standard.
It is acceptable across registers. It is common in formal writing (academic, journalistic) as well as in everyday speech.
A place where animals or plants naturally reproduce and develop.
Breeding ground: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbriːdɪŋ ɡraʊnd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbridɪŋ ɡraʊnd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A hotbed of [activity/problems] (near-synonymous idiom)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of GROUND where bad ideas BREED like mosquitoes.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE ORGANISMS / PROBLEMS ARE ORGANISMS (they breed, grow, and spread from a specific location).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'breeding ground' LEAST likely to be used?