thoroughbred

1 of 2

adjective

thor·​ough·​bred ˈthər-ə-ˌbred 

ˈthə-rə-

1

: bred from the best blood through a long line : purebred

thoroughbred dogs

2

a

capitalized : of, relating to, or being a Thoroughbred horse

b

: having characteristics resembling those of a Thoroughbred

3

: thoroughly trained or skilled

a thoroughbred soldier

thoroughbred

2 of 2

noun

1

: a purebred or pedigreed animal

2

capitalized : any of an English breed of light speedy horses kept chiefly for racing that originated from crosses between English mares of uncertain ancestry and Arabian stallions

3

: a thoroughly educated or skilled person

Illustration of thoroughbred

• Thoroughbred

Synonyms

Adjective

• blooded
• full-blood
• full-blooded
• pedigreed
• pedigree
• pure-blooded
• pure-blood
• purebred

Examples of thoroughbred in a Sentence

Adjective

a thoroughbred dog

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Dornoch etched his name into thoroughbred history by winning the 156th Belmont Stakes, a race run for the first time at Saratoga Race Course in mid-state New York. —John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2024

In fact, on early summer mornings, you’ll be awakened by the clip-clop of prized thoroughbred hooves making their way out to their morning workouts. —Laura Ratliff, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 June 2024

Noun

That broke the Maryland record for a thoroughbred sold at public auction. —Dan Rodricks, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2024

People in racing tell me that most thoroughbreds suffer from ulcers caused by overmedication. —Kathy Guillermo, The Mercury News, 3 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1701, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Noun

1728, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

thoroughbred

1 of 2 adjective

thor·​ough·​bred ˈthər-ə-ˌbred 

ˈthə-rə-

1

: bred from the best stock through a long line : purebred

thoroughbred dogs

2

capitalized : of, relating to, or being a Thoroughbred horse

thoroughbred

2 of 2 noun

1

: a purebred or pedigreed animal

2

capitalized : any of an English breed of light speedy horses kept chiefly for racing