brood

To think for a long time about something that makes you sad or worried.

• He sat alone and brooded.
• She brooded over their argument all evening.
• Why are you still brooding on what he said?

How to use it: brood over something (Don't brood over one bad exam result.); brood on something (He spent the evening brooding on his mistakes.)

Similar words: dwell on, mope

Common phrases: brood over something, brood on something, sit and brood

To sit on eggs and keep them warm until the young animals come out.

• The hen broods her eggs.
• Both parents brooded the eggs in turns.
• How long do these birds brood before the chicks hatch?

Similar words: incubate, sit on

Common phrases: brood eggs, brood the eggs

To protect and care for something while it develops.

• The fish broods its eggs beneath a rock.
• Some species brood their young inside their mouths.
• The female brooded the developing eggs until they were ready to hatch.

Similar words: nurture, protect

Common phrases: brood young, brood developing eggs, brood the offspring

A group of young animals, especially birds, born or hatched together from the same mother.

• The hen watched over her brood.
• A brood of chicks ran across the yard.
• These birds can raise two broods each summer.

How to use it: a brood of something (A brood of ducklings followed their mother.)

Common phrases: brood of chicks, brood of ducklings, first brood

Kept to produce young animals.

• The farmer bought two brood hens.
• They keep their brood mares in a separate field.
• Healthy brood stock helps the fish farm produce strong young fish.

Similar words: breeding

Common phrases: brood mare, brood hen, brood stock