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

Thoroughbred : 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

Thoroughbred : 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 of thoroughbred

Adjective

• blooded
• pedigreed
• purebred

Examples of thoroughbred in a Sentence

Adjective

a thoroughbred dog

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Thoroughbred racing and Saratoga, New York have been in the same sentence since 1863. — Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026

In the world of thoroughbred racing, stallions reign supreme, as owners and leading farms try to create champion sire lines that can sustain a breeding enterprise for decades. — Graham Cornwell, New York Times, 19 June 2026

Noun

Breeding thoroughbreds is complicated and can be mentally and physically exhausting for the horses. — Graham Cornwell, New York Times, 19 June 2026

But the thoroughbred and his jockey Jose Ortiz will be sitting out this weekend’s Preakness Stakes to rest up for the Belmont Stakes on June 6. — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 13 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1701, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Noun

1728, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for thoroughbred

• abovesaid
• aforesaid
• arrowhead
• casinghead
• copperhead
• figurehead
• fountainhead
• gingerbread
• hammerhead
• infrared
• leatherhead
• letterhead

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