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’s Suburban Downs would bring back harness racing for the first time since 2008 and hold 128 programs in addition to 65 thoroughbred programs, while Arlington would have 74 thoroughbred dates. — Neil Milbert, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026

The mobile bar is a converted two-horse thoroughbred horse trailer that her father helped convert, installing sinks, bar tops, a fridge. — Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026

Noun

Churchill Downs Incorporated and the New York Racing Association Monday unveiled on Monday a new $5 million championship series for 3-year-old thoroughbreds built around six races, including the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. — Nicole Kraft, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Race organizers say the competition will create an annual championship for America's leading 3-year-old thoroughbreds. — Caroline Foreback, CBS News, 5 Aug. 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