C1nounsciencenature
US/dəˌmes.təˈkeɪ.ʃən/
UK/dəˌmes.tɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/
the long process by which people turn wild animals into farm animals or pets, and wild plants into crops
In context
The domestication of dogs began thousands of years before farming.
Rice domestication in Asia changed the way people lived and ate.
Scientists study animal domestication to understand how wild wolves became pets.
Words that go with domestication
noun + preposition
- domestication ofThe domestication of horses changed how people traveled and fought.
- process of domesticationThe process of domestication made the animals smaller and calmer.
noun + noun
- animal domesticationAnimal domestication gave early humans a steady supply of meat and milk.
- plant domesticationPlant domestication began in several places at around the same time.
- crop domesticationCrop domestication allowed people to settle in one place.
adjective + noun
- early domesticationThe early domestication of goats happened in the Middle East.