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

capitalized : 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

capitalized : 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

Adjective

• blooded
• full-blood
• full-blooded
• pedigreed
• pedigree
• pure-blooded
• pure-blood
• purebred

Examples of thoroughbred in a Sentence

Adjective

a thoroughbred dog

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The decision to cancel harness racing at Cal Expo after the current season, which ends Friday, followed action taken last month to end live thoroughbred horse racing, a 170-year-old fair tradition. —Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 27 Apr. 2025

Now listed for $8.45 million, the stately property offers a wealth of additional amenities for your thoroughbred companions, too. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2024

Noun

Three-year-old thoroughbreds are eligible to participate in the Triple Crown races, meaning a horse has just one opportunity in its lifetime to win all three races in a single season. —Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 30 Apr. 2025

Horses will have raced at the Kentucky Derby for 151 consecutive years after the next crop of three-year-old thoroughbreds meet at Churchill Downs on May 3. —John Kell, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025

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