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Definition

noun, plural form: hybrids

(general) Any of mixed origin or composition, or the combination of two or more different things.

(biology) An offspring resulting from the cross between parents of different species or sub-species.

(molecular biology) A complex formed by joining two complementary strands of nucleic acids.

adjective

Of or pertaining to the offspring produced from crossbreeding.

Supplement

(biology): For instance, a mule is an animal produced by breeding animals of different breeds, particularly a cross between a horse and a donkey. Different types of hybrids:
*Single cross hybrid – first generation of offspring resulting from a cross between pure bred parents
*Double cross hybrid - offspring resulting from a cross between two hybrids of single cross
*Three-way cross hybrid – offspring from a cross between a single cross hybrid and an inbred line
*Triple cross hybrid - offspring resulting from the crossing of two different three-way cross hybrids
*Population hybrid – offspring resulting from the crossing of plants or animals in a population with another population. For instance, a cross between difference races

Word origin: L hybrida, hibrida, a crossbred animal.

Related forms: hybridize or hybridise (verb), hybridization (noun).
Related terms: hybrid speciation.

Synonym: crossbred, mongrel (colloquial).
Compare: purebred.