rhizoverbBeta
DictionarysireMale parent
noun / verb

sire

SIGH-er/ˈsaɪər/

A father, especially of an animal bred for reproduction.

The foal's sire is a stallion from a nearby farm.

A stallion stands protectively beside a mare and a young foal that shares his markings, showing him as the foal's male parent.
Etymology
sireLatinolder, elder

Latin senior, meaning “older” or “elder,” underlies a title meaning “lord.” Sire also developed the meaning “father,” then an animal’s male parent; the verb turns that parental role into the act of fathering offspring.

In context

Animalogic5:38
That means that in a lifetime a big male can sire 500 pups.
The 5,000lb Seals With Combat Noses
National Geographic22:29
For rights to sire offspring, humpback males go to war.
Islands of Fire (Full Episode) | Wild Hawaii | National Geographic

More examples

  • The breeder records the sire and dam of each puppy.
  • This bull sires calves that grow quickly.
  • That stallion has sired three race winners.

Forms

sire · sires · sired · siring

Similar words

father
Applies naturally to people as well as male animals.
parent
Includes either the mother or father, not just males.