thoroughbred

adjective

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thor·ough·bred | \ ˈthər-ə-ˌbred

, ˈthə-rə- \

Definition of thoroughbred

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : bred from the best blood through a long line : purebred thoroughbred dogs

2a 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

noun

Definition of thoroughbred (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about thoroughbred

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Synonyms & Antonyms for thoroughbred

Synonyms: Adjective

Antonyms: Adjective

Examples of thoroughbred in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective This year’s candidate to become the 14th Triple Crown winner in the history of U.S. thoroughbred racing will be decided at Saturday’s Kentucky Derby. — Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, "Kentucky Derby 2021: How to watch the race on TV," 1 May 2021 In thoroughbred racing, Sheikh Mohammed combined one of his great interests with his ambition to turn Dubai into the Singapore of the Middle East. — New York Times, "We Know Where the Sheikh’s Horse Is. But Where Is His Daughter?," 29 Apr. 2021 Trainer Brad Cox grew up a few blocks from Churchill Downs, so the Kentucky Derby is an even bigger deal for him than for most other participants in thoroughbred racing. — Larry Stumes, San Francisco Chronicle, "Nation's top trainer hopes to make a grand debut in Kentucky Derby," 26 Apr. 2021 The state’s two thoroughbred tracks — Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach and Tampa Bay Downs — would still be required to offer live racing. — Skyler Swisher, sun-sentinel.com, "Is sports betting coming to Florida? Speculation mounting this could be the year," 22 Apr. 2021 The state’s two thoroughbred tracks — Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach and Tampa Bay Downs — would still be required to offer live racing. — Skyler Swisher, sun-sentinel.com, "Hold the horses: Gambling change could end harness racing at Pompano Park," 12 Apr. 2021 Arizona's Kentucky Derby party returns with thoroughbred horse racing, large hats and a Kentucky Derby watch party. — Kimi Robinson, The Arizona Republic, "Top things to do in Phoenix: Junk in the Trunk, home show, Kentucky Derby watch party," 8 Apr. 2021 As in actual thoroughbred racing, a name may not exceed 18 characters including spaces, but those characters may include punctuation and numerals. — Washington Post, "Style Invitational Week 1430: Back to racing speed with our annual foal contest," 1 Apr. 2021 The rule effectively restricts thoroughbred stallions from breeding with more than 140 mares each year, the suit said. — Bruce Schreiner, Star Tribune, "Kentucky horse farms challenge 'stallion cap' breeding limit," 23 Feb. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun But afterward, the thoroughbred goes back to the barn for food, rest and relaxation. — Jonathan Saxon, The Courier-Journal, "This female trainer could make history if horse Hidden Stash wins the Kentucky Derby," 26 Apr. 2021 The suit warns of the rule's deep ripple effects in Kentucky and beyond in the highly competitive, high-dollar thoroughbred industry. — Bruce Schreiner, Star Tribune, "Kentucky horse farms challenge 'stallion cap' breeding limit," 23 Feb. 2021 As a young Parisian boy and his centenarian great-grandmother help a thoroughbred with a knack for making friends across the animal kingdom, the story considers the nature of freedom — and the freedom of the natural world. — Washington Post, "10 books to read in December," 1 Dec. 2020 In what may have been the final race of her career, Monomoy Girl left no doubt concerning the discussion of top female thoroughbred in the United States. — Jason Frakes, The Courier-Journal, "Monomoy Girl wins Breeders' Cup Distaff for second time, gives Cox fourth win of weekend," 7 Nov. 2020 The thoroughbred was unbeaten in 2020, with big wins at both the Travers and Belmont Stakes, but finished second Saturday. — Analis Bailey, USA TODAY, "Authentic wins the 146th Kentucky Derby ahead of favorite Tiz the Law," 6 Sep. 2020 The thoroughbred was unbeaten in 2020, with big wins at both the Travers and Belmont Stakes, but finished second Saturday. — Analis Bailey, The Arizona Republic, "Authentic wins the 146th Kentucky Derby ahead of favorite Tiz the Law," 6 Sep. 2020 His great-grandfather, Will Harbut, cared for Man o' War, an American thoroughbred considered one of the greatest racehorses of all time. — Alaa Elassar, CNN, "Activists want an African American horse owner to boycott the Kentucky Derby. Here's why he won't do it," 5 Sep. 2020 Harlan’s Holiday’s offspring includes Denis of Cork, a bay thoroughbred who finished third in the 2008 Kentucky Derby and second in the 2008 Breeders' Cup. — Cameron Teague Robinson, The Courier-Journal, "Kentucky Derby winner Authentic, son of Into Mischief, has winning deep in bloodline," 5 Sep. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'thoroughbred.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.