domesticate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic, Technical
Quick answer
What does “domesticate” mean?
to bring an animal or plant under human control and adapt it to the human environment, making it useful or tame.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to bring an animal or plant under human control and adapt it to the human environment, making it useful or tame.
To make someone used to or fond of home life and household affairs; to naturalise or adapt something (e.g., a concept or word) to a new environment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral to positive in scientific contexts; can have a slightly negative connotation when applied to people, implying a loss of wildness or independence.
Frequency
Equally common in academic and technical writing in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “domesticate” in a Sentence
[Verb] + [Direct Object] (domesticate wolves)[Verb] + [Direct Object] + [Prepositional Phrase] (domesticate plants for agriculture)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “domesticate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Early humans began to domesticate wolves, leading to the modern dog.
- The agricultural research centre aims to domesticate this wild grain.
American English
- They successfully domesticated a local plant species for medicinal use.
- His travels were an attempt to escape a life he felt was trying to domesticate him.
adverb
British English
- The concept was introduced and then domestically adapted for the UK market.
- He lived domestically, focusing on family and home.
American English
- The product is manufactured domestically to reduce costs.
- She prefers to travel domestically rather than internationally.
adjective
British English
- The domesticated cat is derived from the African wildcat.
- He has rather domesticated tastes these days, preferring gardening to nightclubs.
American English
- Domesticated animals rely on humans for survival.
- After years abroad, she returned with a more domesticated outlook on life.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in contexts like agricultural technology or biotechnology firms (e.g., 'a project to domesticate a new crop species').
Academic
Very common in archaeology, biology, history, and anthropology to discuss the Neolithic Revolution and species adaptation.
Everyday
Uncommon. Mostly used in documentaries or general knowledge discussions about history or animals.
Technical
Core term in zoology, botany, and genetics to describe the process of selective breeding for human use.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “domesticate”
- Using 'domesticate' as a noun (the noun is 'domestication').
- Confusing 'domesticate' (process) with 'tame' (individual behavioural change).
- Incorrect preposition: 'domesticate for' a purpose, not 'domesticate to'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Tame' refers to changing an individual animal's behaviour to reduce its fear of humans. 'Domesticate' is a long-term, multi-generational process of genetic adaptation of a species for human use.
Figuratively, yes. It means to make someone more fond of home life and less adventurous, often with a slightly negative connotation of becoming boring or conventional.
The primary noun is 'domestication'. 'Domesticate' itself can also be a rare noun referring to a domesticated species (e.g., 'the llama is a domesticate of the Andes').
Yes, it is a fundamental technical term in biology, archaeology, and genetics for the process by which a population of animals or plants is changed genetically through selective breeding over generations to accentuate traits beneficial to humans.
to bring an animal or plant under human control and adapt it to the human environment, making it useful or tame.
Domesticate is usually formal, academic, technical in register.
Domesticate: in British English it is pronounced /dəˈmestɪkeɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /dəˈmɛstəˌkeɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms. The related noun 'domesticity' features in phrases like 'a life of domesticity'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'DOMESTIC' (home) + 'ATE' (to make). It means 'to make suitable for the home'.
Conceptual Metaphor
HUMAN CONTROL IS DOMESTICATION (e.g., 'to domesticate one's ambitions' implies taming them for practical life).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST accurate use of 'domesticate'?