Definition

A female horse that is kept for the purpose of breeding other horses.

Example

The farmer decided to buy a new broodmare to improve the quality of his horse stock.

Conversation

Have you seen that new broodmare at the stables?

Yes, I heard she has an impressive pedigree!

I think she's going to be a great addition for breeding.

Definitely! I can't wait to see her foals.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Broodmare is formed from "brood" (from Old English "brōd", meaning to produce or bear) and "mare" (from Old English "mære", meaning a female horse). The term refers to a female horse that is kept for breeding purposes, specifically for producing offspring.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'brood' as producing young and a 'mare' as a female horse — together, they describe a horse that produces young.

Visually Confused Words