sire

noun \ ˈsī(-ə)r \

Updated on: 22 Apr 2018

1 a : father

b archaic : male ancestor : forefather

c : author, originator

2 a archaic : a man of rank or authority; especially : lord —used formerly as a form of address and as a title

b obsolete : an elderly man : senior

3 : the male parent of an animal and especially of a domestic animal

See sire defined for English-language learners

See sire defined for kids

Examples of sire in a Sentence

his sire had been a renowned Wall Street lawyer
the revered sire of the impressionist movement in art

Recent Examples of sire from the Web

Adopting an approach similar to its sire -- which regularly introduces a plot, then leaves it dormant for a week or more to pursue another -- the series then shifts to surviving members of the core cast, featuring Kim Dickens and Frank Dillane.

— brian lowry, CNN, "'Fear the Walking Dead' gets major makeover with Morgan's arrival," 13 Apr. 2018
In an effort to keep him engaged, officials have required Myers — the only deputy on the retirement board — to do association work in his or the board’s offices, not at home or another off-sire location.

— joshua stewart, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Sheriff Gore said he considered firing his rival for office, but thought it would look bad," 5 Apr. 2018
Last year, the Dubai World Cup was won by Arrogate, a half-brother of Forever Unbridled through their sire, the leading North American stallion Unbridled's Song.

— danielle rossingh, CNN, "The mare bred by a diamond hunter trying to make racing history," 30 Mar. 2018
The course was laid out on the former Blenheim Farm and named for a thoroughbred horse brought to the American colonies from England in about 1730 that became a foundation sire of the breed in America.

— erika butler, The Aegis, "Bulle Rock opens for season after uncertainty over golf course's future," 29 Mar. 2018
His sire, Bodemeister, was the last post-time favorite not to win, finishing second behind I’ll Have Another in 2012.

— jason frakes, The Courier-Journal, "2017 Kentucky Derby winner bio: Always Dreaming," 24 Mar. 2018
The sire Decarchy is 10% with first time turfers and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer is 24% with horses that won their last race.

— john cherwa, latimes.com, "Racing! Columbus, Ponce de Leon and a happy Indigenous Peoples' Day," 9 Oct. 2017
His sire (Mountainview’s Heir To Fortune) is a former world champion.

— tim sullivan, The Courier-Journal, "Forged check pays dividends at horse show | Tim Sullivan," 22 Aug. 2017
His sire, Gold Allure, is a son of 1989 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Sunday Silence.

— beth harris, The Denver Post, "Mystery surrounding Japanese horse Epicharis deepens before Belmont," 9 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sire.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of sire

Middle English, from Anglo-French, lord, feudal superior, from Vulgar Latin *seior, alteration of Latin senior older — more at senior

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

sire Synonyms

Other Forms of Address Terms

appellation, beatitude, brethren, emeritus, esquire, sous

sire

verb

sired; siring

transitive verb

1 : beget —used especially of male domestic animals

2 : to bring into being : originate

See sire defined for English-language learners

Examples of sire in a Sentence

The horse sired several champion racers.
the champion racehorse went on to sire a long line of winners

Recent Examples of sire from the Web

Still, there are plenty of records left to break for the world's equal-highest rated racehorse, who was sired by Irish stallion Street Cry.

— danielle rossingh, CNN, "Superstar mare Winx joins Black Caviar at racing's peak," 16 Apr. 2018
Unlike his father, Pinch leaves few traces, forms few attachments, sires no children.

— olga grushin, New York Times, "Portrait of the Artist as a Complete Jerk," 11 Apr. 2018
Sudan sired two females, offering hope that the species could be preserved.

— author: robyn dixon, Anchorage Daily News, "The last male northern white rhino has died, spelling probable extinction for the species," 21 Mar. 2018
Stevie Rey Von was sired by Metallic Cat, currently a high-profile breeding stallion that’s owned by Bobby Patton of Fort Worth.

— brett hoffman, star-telegram, "Fort Worth rider, stallion Stevie Rey Von capture NCHA Super Stakes open division title | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 1 Apr. 2018
Mendelssohn, sired by Scat Daddy, is 4-1-0 in seven starts with a win in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf.

— chris white, The Courier-Journal, "Is Mendelssohn the new Kentucky Derby favorite after a romp in UAE Derby?," 31 Mar. 2018
Sudan sired two females, offering hope that the species could be preserved.

— author: robyn dixon, Anchorage Daily News, "The last male northern white rhino has died, spelling probable extinction for the species," 21 Mar. 2018
Sudan sired two females, offering hope that the species could be preserved.

— author: robyn dixon, Anchorage Daily News, "The last male northern white rhino has died, spelling probable extinction for the species," 21 Mar. 2018
Sudan sired two females, offering hope that the species could be preserved.

— robyn dixon, latimes.com, "The last male northern white rhino has died, spelling probable extinction for the species," 20 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of sire

1611

sire Synonyms

Synonyms

beget, father, get;

bear, engender, gender, generate, produce;

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

apiary, bantam, calico, girth, hogwash, mast, rut

SIRE Defined for English Language Learners

sire

noun

—used formerly to address a man of rank or authority (such as a king or lord)
: a male parent of some animals (such as dogs and horses)

sire

verb

of an animal : to become the father of (an animal)
: to become the father of (a child)

SIRE Defined for Kids

sire

noun \ ˈsīr \

1 often capitalized : ¹father 1

2 : the male parent of a domestic animal

3 —used in the past to address a man of rank (as a king)

Your horses are ready, sire.

sire

verb

sired; siring

: to become the father of

Medical Dictionary

sire

noun \ ˈsī(ə)r \

: the male parent of an animal and especially of a domestic animal

sire

transitive verb

sired; siring

: to procreate as the male parent of

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Other Forms of Address Terms

sire

Examples of sire in a Sentence

Recent Examples of sire from the Web

First Known Use of sire

sire Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

SIRE Defined for English Language Learners

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sire

SIRE Defined for Kids

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Medical Dictionary

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