noun
- animals that do not reproduce or are not currently breeding
Usage: biology; zoology
Examples
- The researchers studied both breeders and nonbreeders in the bird colony.
- Nonbreeders often help care for the young of related individuals.
- During the winter months, most of the population consists of nonbreeders.
- The nonbreeders in the pack assist with hunting and territory defense.
- Scientists tracked the behavior patterns of nonbreeders versus breeding pairs.
- Young animals are typically nonbreeders until they reach sexual maturity.