What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
copulation
Example
The documentary showed footage of copulation between two lions. [copulation: noun]
Example
The biology textbook explained the process of copulation in detail. [copulation: noun]
breeding
Example
The farmer specializes in breeding dairy cows for milk production. [breeding: verb]
Example
The dog breeder carefully selected two purebred dogs for breeding. [breeding: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Breeding is a more common term than copulation in everyday language. Breeding is used in various contexts related to animal husbandry and agriculture, while copulation is a more specialized term used primarily in scientific and medical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between copulation and breeding?
Copulation is a more formal term than breeding. It is typically used in scientific and medical contexts, while breeding is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
