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

Hawthorne ran both thoroughbred races in the summer and harness racing in the winter, forcing it to make costly transitions every year between its dirt track and a limestone track for sulkies. — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026

Specifically, the Pebbles Beach Horse Bathing tradition where trainers bring thoroughbred racehorses from the nearby historic Garrison Savannah stables down for a salt-water wash. — Jonnie Bayfield, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026

Noun

Luxus now transforms luxury handbags into investable portfolios, while MyRacehorse offers fractional ownership in elite thoroughbreds, even celebrating major wins like the Preakness. — Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

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