brood
A group of young animals, particularly birds or insects, produced at one time or hatched from the same nest. Figuratively, it refers to a large family of children or a group of related items sharing a common origin.
Examples
3 of 5The hen spent the afternoon scratching for worms to feed her hungry brood.
The hen spent the afternoon searching for food for her young offspring.
Ornithologists documented a significant decrease in the average brood size within the urban habitat.
Scientists recorded a drop in the number of chicks per nest in city areas.
Uncle Jerry arrived at the reunion with his entire brood of seven noisy kids.
Uncle Jerry came to the party with his whole group of seven children.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'breeding'—a brood is the result of a successful breeding cycle.
Quick Quiz
The mother swan glided across the lake, followed closely by her ______ of five cygnets.
Correct!
The correct answer is: brood
Examples
The hen spent the afternoon scratching for worms to feed her hungry brood.
everydayThe hen spent the afternoon searching for food for her young offspring.
Ornithologists documented a significant decrease in the average brood size within the urban habitat.
formalScientists recorded a drop in the number of chicks per nest in city areas.
Uncle Jerry arrived at the reunion with his entire brood of seven noisy kids.
informalUncle Jerry came to the party with his whole group of seven children.
The experiment analyzed the correlation between brood parasitism and host species decline.
academicThe research studied the link between laying eggs in other nests and the drop in host population.
The tech giant is set to release a new brood of software updates next quarter.
businessThe large company plans to launch a series of related software improvements soon.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
a large brood
a family with many children
brood reduction
a biological strategy where some young are sacrificed for the survival of others
the whole brood
the entire group of offspring
Often Confused With
A clutch refers specifically to a group of eggs, while a brood refers to the young after they have hatched.
Litter is used primarily for mammals born at the same time, whereas brood is primarily for birds and insects.
Usage Notes
While primarily a biological term for birds, it is frequently used in literary or informal contexts to describe a large group of human children. Be careful not to confuse the noun with the verb 'to brood,' which means to think deeply about something unhappy.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'litter' for birds, but 'brood' is the correct term for avian offspring. Also, ensure not to use 'brood' when referring to only one child.
Memory Tip
Think of the word 'breeding'—a brood is the result of a successful breeding cycle.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old English 'brōd', which is related to 'brēdan' (to breed or nourish).
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In agricultural societies, the health of a brood of poultry was often a measure of a farm's prosperity.
Quick Quiz
The mother swan glided across the lake, followed closely by her ______ of five cygnets.
Correct!
The correct answer is: brood
Related Words
bolster
C1To support, strengthen, or provide additional evidence for something, making it more effective or resilient. In an academic or professional context, it often refers to reinforcing an argument, a theory, or a financial position.
bonanza
C1A situation which creates very sudden wealth, luck, or fortune, often on a large scale. It is frequently used to describe a source of great profit or a sudden windfall in business or natural resources.
botch
C1A botch refers to a piece of work that has been performed poorly, clumsily, or carelessly, resulting in a failed or messy outcome. It often describes a task that was attempted without the necessary skill or attention to detail, leading to a ruined result.
bout
C1A brief period of intense activity, or a specific occurrence of something, such as an illness or a strong emotion. It is frequently used to describe a temporary struggle or a competitive match in sports like boxing.
brazen
C1Brazen describes behavior that is bold, shameless, and often shocking because it ignores traditional rules of conduct or morality. It is frequently used when someone does something wrong but makes no effort to hide their actions.
bristle
C1A short, stiff hair, typically one of those on an animal's skin, a man's face, or a brush. In a scientific or academic context, it refers to any stiff, hair-like structure on an organism.
brochure
C1A small booklet or pamphlet containing pictures and information about a product, service, or location. It is typically used for advertising or to provide detailed information to a specific audience in a compact format.
browse
C1In an informational context, a browse is an exploratory, non-linear act of surveying data or items without a specific target. In ecology, it refers to the edible parts of woody plants, such as twigs and shoots, which serve as a primary food source for herbivores.
abundance
B2A very large quantity of something that is more than enough. It describes the state of having plenty or a surplus of resources, qualities, or objects.
bumper
C1To provide a protective buffer or cushion to an object or system to absorb impact or mitigate the effects of a shock. In a metaphorical sense, it refers to implementing measures that safeguard a process or entity against external volatility or negative pressures.
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