Illustration of thoroughbred
- Thoroughbred
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
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
Synonyms of thoroughbred
Examples of thoroughbred in a Sentence
Adjective
a thoroughbred dog
Recent Examples on the Web
Cat Sposato, Travel + Leisure, 4 Nov. 2025
Horse sales at the world’s largest thoroughbred auction in Kentucky grew by 24% last month compared to 2024.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
The best thoroughbreds and jockeys from around the world are competing during the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California.
—Rudie Obias, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thoroughbred
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
In the summer, tourists from far and wide flock to Saratoga Springs to watch world-class thoroughbred horse racing.
—Cat Sposato, Travel + Leisure, 4 Nov. 2025
Horse sales at the world’s largest thoroughbred auction in Kentucky grew by 24% last month compared to 2024.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
Loading up the thoroughbred in the trailer from Davis to Judy's East Sacramento street.
—Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
The best thoroughbreds and jockeys from around the world are competing during the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California.
—Rudie Obias, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thoroughbred
Cite this Entry
“Thoroughbred.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thoroughbred. Accessed 24 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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 noun1
: a purebred or pedigreed animal
2
capitalized
: any of an English breed of light speedy horses kept chiefly for racing
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share