1
: an offspring of two animals or plants of different subspecies, breeds, varieties, species, or genera
a hybrid of two roses
2
: a person whose background is a blend of two diverse cultures or traditions
3
a
: something heterogeneous in origin or composition : composite
hybrids of complementary DNA and RNA strands
a hybrid of medieval and Renaissance styles
b
: something (such as a power plant, vehicle, or electronic circuit) that has two different types of components performing essentially the same function
drives a hybrid that gets really good mileage
1
: relating to or produced from parents of different species, varieties, or breeds
a hybrid rose
hybrid cattle
2
: having or produced by a combination of two or more distinct elements : marked by heterogeneity in origin, composition, or appearance
… difficulties with normal English are … its hybrid vocabulary and the irregularities of English spelling.—G. A. Miller
a hybrid style
3
: having two different types of components performing essentially the same function
a hybrid vehicle
hy·brid·ism
ˈhībrə̇ˌdizəm
plural -s
1
2
: the fusion of diverse cultures or traditions
the hybridism of Puerto Rico combines both North American and Spanish culture
Cite this Entry
“Hybrid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hybrid. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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