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Domesticate Meaning in English

word

dəˈmɛstəˌkeɪt
duh-MES-tuh-kayt
dəˈmɛstɪkeɪt
duh-MES-ti-kayt

Definition

To train or adapt animals or plants to live with humans and be useful or friendly, usually over many generations.

Usage & Nuances

Mainly formal or scientific; used for animals (dogs, cats, cows) or sometimes plants (wheat, corn). Not used for wild animals that remain undomesticated. Common phrases: 'domesticate animals', 'domesticate plants'. Rarely used as adjective; for that, use 'domesticated'.

Example Sentences

Early humans learned to domesticate wolves.

basic

Farmers domesticate animals like cows and sheep.

basic

It takes many years to domesticate a wild plant species.

basic

People have tried to domesticate foxes, but it's a difficult process.

natural

It amazed me how quickly cats can domesticate to different environments.

natural

Some scientists want to domesticate new species to solve food shortages.

natural