hatchery
UK: ˈhætʃəri | US: ˈhætʃəri
n. a place where eggs, especially fish or poultry eggs, are hatched under artificial conditions
n. a facility for breeding and rearing young animals or plants
hatchery = hatch<to emerge from an egg> + ery<place for a specific activity>
- hatch (from Old English hæcc, meaning "to produce young from eggs")
- ery (a noun-forming suffix from Old French -erie, denoting a place or activity related to the root word)
Etymology Origin:
The word "hatchery" combines "hatch," rooted in Old English, with the French-derived suffix "-ery," which signifies a place associated with a particular function. Originally tied to poultry farming, its usage expanded to include fish breeding in the 19th century, reflecting industrialization in agriculture and aquaculture. The morphemes logically align with the word’s purpose—a dedicated space for hatching.
The salmon hatchery releases thousands of juvenile fish into the river annually.
Modern poultry hatcheries use temperature-controlled incubators.
The conservation group built a turtle hatchery to protect endangered species.
Workers at the hatchery monitor egg development closely.
This hatchery specializes in breeding rare bird species.