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\ ˈsī(-ə)r 
\
\Definition of sire
(Entry 1 of 2)
2a archaic : a man of rank or authority especially : lord —used formerly as a form of address and as a title
3 : the male parent of an animal and especially of a domestic animal
sire
verbsired; siring
Definition of sire (Entry 2 of 2)
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Examples of sire in a Sentence
Noun
his sire had been a renowned Wall Street lawyer
the revered sire of the impressionist movement in art Verb
The horse sired several champion racers.
the champion racehorse went on to sire a long line of winners
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun This is another horse with a very traditional name, one honoring its sire, Constitution, and its dam, Tizfiz.
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Jeva Lange, TheWeek, "2020 Kentucky Derby horse names, ranked," 5 Sep. 2020 Affirmed is the sire of Harlan's Holiday's dam, Christmas in Aiken.
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Cameron Teague Robinson, The Courier-Journal, "Kentucky Derby winner Authentic, son of Into Mischief, has winning deep in bloodline," 5 Sep. 2020 His sire, Harlan's Holiday, won both the Florida Derby and Blue Grass Stakes in 2002.
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Tim Sullivan, The Courier-Journal, "Prolific Spendthrift stallion also qualifies as a cash cow, but at what cost to the breed?," 26 Dec. 2019 She’s by a horse named Bated Breath, who’s becoming a hot sire in England.
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John Cherwa, latimes.com, "Racing! Hollendorfer is kicked out of Santa Anita," 23 June 2019 Be sure the sire and dam are certified against hip dysplasia.
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Phil Bourjaily, Field & Stream, "How to Choose Your First Bird-Dog Puppy," 23 Mar. 2020 Sensing a business opportunity, Zubac wanted to know more about the sport’s best bloodlines, sires and breeders.
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Andrew Greif, Los Angeles Times, "Clippers’ Ivica Zubac making leaps, bounds on and off court," 11 Oct. 2019 The son of Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew was leading sire in 2003 and 2006 and leading broodmare in 2015, according to Bloodhorse.
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Courier Journal, The Courier-Journal, "Legendary thoroughbred A.P. Indy, former horse of the year and Belmont Stakes winner, dies," 22 Feb. 2020 Storm the Court followed in his sire's hoof prints.
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Beth Harris, The Courier-Journal, "Storm the Court scores 45-1 upset in Breeders' Cup Juvenile," 2 Nov. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb His post-racing highlight was siring a Venezuelan horse of the year before dying at age 11.
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Dan Wolken, USA TODAY, "Unlike many Belmont Stakes winners, this year's will be remembered forever," 21 May 2020 Along with his companion, Sanura, Themba sired three offspring in 2011, two males and one female.
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Kathy Flanigan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "The Milwaukee County Zoo announced that Themba, an African lion, has died," 8 May 2020 Cincinnati: The city’s zoo has welcomed a new baby giraffe shortly after losing the 12-year-old male giraffe that sired him.
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USA TODAY, "A subway Thanksgiving, too-high horse, gift wrap wars: News from around our 50 states," 27 Nov. 2019 The father, Rafiki, 21, has sired all 14 giraffe born at the zoo, the statement said.
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USA TODAY, "Ballet for seniors, Dr. Fauci bobblehead, Patriots’ plane ferries N95 masks: News from around our 50 states," 3 Apr. 2020 Promising stallions can end up siring horses that aren't successful racers, reducing the stallion's stud fees.
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Mark Tutton And Katie Pisa, CNN, "Why stud fees can make a few lucky racehorse owners millions," 20 Dec. 2019 Jerry Hollendorfer has entered America’s Surprise, a $325,000 purchase at the Keeneland sale from the first crop sired by Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.
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San Diego Union-Tribune, "High-priced 2-year-olds running this weekend at Del Mar," 8 Aug. 2019 In the fall of 2002, he was sold to the Yoshiba family's Shadai Stallion Farm in Japan for $17 million, but sired fewer than 200 foals before he was donated to Old Friends in 2015.
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Rana L. Cash, The Courier-Journal, "War Emblem, winner of the 2002 Kentucky Derby, dies," 11 Mar. 2020 The horse was retired in 1977 and spent nearly 20 years at stud at the Four Sixes, siring hundreds of future winners.
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New York Times, "Anne Marion, Texas Rancher, Heiress and Arts Patron, Dies at 81," 25 Feb. 2020
See MoreThese 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.
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More Definitions for sire
sire
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of sire
(Entry 1 of 2)
—used formerly to address a man of rank or authority (such as a king or lord)
technical : a male parent of some animals (such as dogs and horses)
sire
verbEnglish Language Learners Definition of sire (Entry 2 of 2)
of an animal : to become the father of (an animal)
old-fashioned : to become the father of (a child)
See the full definition for sire in the English Language Learners Dictionary
sire
noun\ ˈsīr \
\Kids Definition of sire
(Entry 1 of 2)
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
verbsired; siring
Kids Definition of sire (Entry 2 of 2)
: to become the father of
sire
noun\ ˈsī(ə)r \
\Medical Definition of sire
(Entry 1 of 2)
: the male parent of an animal and especially of a domestic animal
sire
transitive verbsired; siring
Medical Definition of sire (Entry 2 of 2)
: to procreate as the male parent of
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Time Traveler for sire
The first known use of sire was in the 13th century
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