breeding ground
Where offspring develop
A breeding ground is a place where animals reproduce and raise their young: The wetlands serve as a breeding ground for migratory birds.
Figuratively, any environment that fosters the development of something, often something undesirable: Poverty is a breeding ground for crime.
The metaphor emphasizes conditions that allow something to multiply and spread.
Location of one's birth
- cradleRocking bed for infants
- sourcePoint of origin
- genesisPoint of creation
- hotbedPlace fostering rapid growth
seedbed · fountainhead · wellspring · inception · provenance · roots · foundation · beginning
Place fostering rapid growth
- petri dishLidded laboratory culture container
- incubatorControlled warming enclosure
- catalystAgent enabling change
- crucibleVessel for extreme heat
environment · conditions · climate · atmosphere · culture · milieu · setting · context
Organism's natural environment
- nesting sitePlace for laying eggs
- rookeryCommunal bird nesting site
- colonyDependent territorial settlement
- wetlandsWater-saturated terrain
estuary · marsh · sanctuary · reserve · migration · mating · territory · ecosystem
Egg incubation facility
- nurseryRoom for infants
- rearingNurturing to maturity
- broodingAnxiously dwelling on something
- gestationCarrying offspring in womb
maturation · nurturing · fostering · development · propagation · warmth · humidity · nesting
Bothersome insects or animals
- verminHarmful small animals
- mosquitoesBlood-drinking flying insects
- parasitesOrganisms feeding off hosts
- rodentsGnawing mammal order
cockroaches · flies · bacteria · pathogens · mold · stagnant water · filth · contamination
birthplace
Location of one's birth
hotbed · seedbed · fountainhead · wellspring · inception · provenance · roots · foundation · beginning · launchpad
hotbed
Place fostering rapid growth
- petri dishLidded laboratory culture container
- incubatorControlled warming enclosure
- catalystAgent enabling change
crucible · environment · conditions · climate · atmosphere · culture · milieu · setting · context · haven
habitat
Organism's natural environment
- nesting sitePlace for laying eggs
- rookeryCommunal bird nesting site
- colonyDependent territorial settlement
wetlands · estuary · marsh · sanctuary · reserve · migration · mating · territory · ecosystem · pond
hatchery
Egg incubation facility
gestation · maturation · nurturing · fostering · development · propagation · warmth · humidity · nesting · clutch
pests
Bothersome insects or animals
- verminHarmful small animals
- mosquitoesBlood-drinking flying insects
- parasitesOrganisms feeding off hosts
rodents · cockroaches · flies · bacteria · pathogens · mold · stagnant water · filth · contamination · disease
- natural areasnature reserve, nature reserves, wilderness areas, wetland, wildlife refuge
- Penguin HabitatsAntarctica, Southern Ocean, ice floe, sea ice, pack ice
- birding spotsbird sanctuary, bird blind, bird hide, blind, hide
- marine sanctuaryno-take zone, buffer zone, boundary marker, mooring buoy, ranger station
- wildlife rangeshabitat, native range, natural habitat, species range, home range
- wildlife refugewildlife viewing, wildlife corridor, wildlife corridors, wildlife trails, deer habitat
breeding groundsterile environment
Space without living microorganisms
dead zone · hostile environment · wasteland · killing field · death trap
ground, breed, breeding, bred, groundwork, breeder, breeds, inbred, purebred