饲养 means 'to raise (animals)' — specifically, to feed, care for, and tend to animals over time, usually for practical purposes like food production, labor, or companionship. The character 饲 (sì) means 'to feed' (especially animals), while 养 (yǎng) means 'to raise', 'to nurture', or 'to keep'. Together, they form a compound verb emphasizing ongoing, intentional animal husbandry — not just feeding once, but sustained care including shelter, health monitoring, and breeding.

This word is commonly used in agricultural, veterinary, and pet-related contexts. It’s neutral in register and appropriate in both formal reports (e.g., livestock management) and everyday speech (e.g., raising chickens at home). Unlike the more general 养 (yǎng) — which can refer to raising children or keeping pets casually — 饲养 carries an implication of systematic, purposeful animal care, often with economic or functional goals.