sire

noun \ ˈsī(-ə)r \

Definition of sire

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

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
Pletcher won it in 2007 with Rags to Riches, Patch’s sire, and with Palace Malice in 2013.

— tim balk, SI.com, "Tapwrit's final finish makes up for Triple Crown letdown at Belmont," 11 June 2017
In August 2015 at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion, just across Union Avenue from Saratoga Race Course, a few horse owners got together to bid $1.2 million on a yearling colt from superstar sire Tapit.

— dick jerardi, Philly.com, "Trainer takes 2 Triple Crown race winners into summer season | Dick Jerardi," 11 June 2017
The only break in Tapit's recent success as a Belmont sire is American Pharoah, who won the Belmont in 2015 to become the first Triple Crown champion since 1978.

— mark inabinett, AL.com, "Live updates: Tapwrit wins 2017 Belmont Stakes," 10 June 2017
Saunders up, joined his sire, Gallant Fox, as a Triple Crown winner.

— AL.com, "2017 Belmont Stakes: No new member to Triple Crown club this year," 10 June 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
Menifee, sire of J Boys Echo's dam, Letgomyecho, was unplaced in 1999.

— special to the plain dealer, cleveland.com, "Belmont Stakes 2017: Irish War Cry favored, but Railbird Roberts picks Senior Investment," 9 June 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

Synonyms

dad, daddy, old man, pa, papa (also poppa), pater [chiefly British], pop, father

Related Words

paterfamilias, patriarch; father figure, father image; stepfather

Near Antonyms

disciple, follower, pupil, student, supporter

Other Forms of Address Terms

appellation, beatitude, brethren, emeritus, esquire, sous

sire

verb

Definition of sire

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

Tilikum, which sired 14 calves over nearly 25 years in Orlando, died of bacterial pneumonia in January.

— julie watson, chicagotribune.com, "SeaWorld veterinarians euthanize sick orca, 3rd killer whale death this year," 16 Aug. 2017
The clones have sired more than 375 foals, colts, and fillies priced at $50,000 to $250,000.

— adam popescu, Bloomberg.com, "Horse Clones Start Heading to the Races," 7 Aug. 2017
Saturday's 13-race card is highlighted by the first legs of the Florida Sire Series, a three-race series for 2-year-olds sired by registered Florida stallions.

— tim dwyer, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Sire Series and Gunnevera's return highlight busy racing weekend at Gulfstream Park," 4 Aug. 2017
Roscoe has been at the Akron Zoo since 2004 and has sired seven cubs, three of which are still in Akron.

— jennifer conn, akron reporter, cleveland.com, "Akron Zoo's snow leopard Roscoe euthanized after cancer diagnosis," 31 July 2017
The newborn calf was sired by Kyuquot at the San Antonio park by natural means.

— dewayne bevil, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Baby whale dies at SeaWorld San Antonio," 24 July 2017
Colt sired by Overanalyze is trained by Brian Lynch and ridden by Luis Saez.

— courant.com, "Clancy's Call: Handicapping The Two Graded Stakes At Saratoga On Saturday," 21 July 2017
Secretariat sired 1988 Preakness and Belmont Stakes winner Risen Star as well as champion Lady’s Secret.

— dick jerardi, Philly.com, "Research into laminitis, the disease that doomed Barbaro, showing great progress," 19 July 2017
Tapit has sired two of the past three Belmont winners - Tonalist in 2014 and Creator in 2016 - as well as 2015's second-place finisher, Frosted, and 2016's third-place finisher, Lani.

— mark inabinett, AL.com, "2017 Belmont Stakes: Favorite's burden has proven too heavy for 1.5 miles," 9 June 2017

First Known Use of sire

1611

sire Synonyms

Synonyms

beget, get, father

Related Words

multiply, procreate, propagate, reproduce, spawn; bear, engender, gender, generate, produce

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

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

SIRE Defined for English Language Learners

sire

noun

Definition of sire for English Language Learners

—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

Definition of sire for English Language Learners

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

SIRE Defined for Kids

sire

noun \ ˈsīr \

Definition of sire for Students

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

Definition of sire for Students

sired; siring

:to become the father of

Medical Dictionary

sire

noun \ ˈsī(ə)r \

medical Definition of sire

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

sire

transitive verb

medical Definition of sire

sired; siring

:to procreate as the male parent of

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sire

Definition of sire

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sire Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Other Animal Husbandry Terms

SIRE Defined for English Language Learners

sire

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sire

Definition of sire for English Language Learners

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sire

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sire

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sire

medical Definition of sire

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