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

Mark won the Met Mile at Belmont Park—a prestigious Grade 1 race, the highest level of thoroughbred competition—with the long-shot horse, and watching his brother succeed brought a rush of emotion. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026

The statue of Ben Ali, a thoroughbred stallion who won the race at Churchill Downs in 1886, was reported stolen Wednesday, the Sacramento Police Department said in a press release. — Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Noun

Casse said a portion of a recent client’s purchase price went to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, which supports accredited organizations caring for retired thoroughbreds. — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 7 Oct. 2026

Haggin developed a successful horse breeding farm on the sprawling expanse and at one time owned as many as 1,000 thoroughbreds. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 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