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
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
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
Examples of thoroughbred in a Sentence
Adjective
a thoroughbred dog
Recent Examples on the Web
Kelley Carlson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2025
More than a decade as a quarter-horse trainer prefaced Lukas’ career as a thoroughbred trainer.
—Neil Milbert, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2025
Jade Walker, CNN Money, 7 May 2025
The finest thoroughbreds, such as those at Fasig-Tipton's annual November sale, can fetch seven figures at auction.
—Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for thoroughbred
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Adjective
For its 86th summer season, Del Mar has concocted a schedule filled with food-centric festivities, sips, handicapping and tips, blended in with world-class thoroughbred racing.
—Kelley Carlson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2025
More than a decade as a quarter-horse trainer prefaced Lukas’ career as a thoroughbred trainer.
—Neil Milbert, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2025
Noun
No Triple Crown winner this year Sovereignty, the 3-year-old thoroughbred who won the Kentucky Derby last weekend, will not compete in the Preakness Stakes.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 7 May 2025
The finest thoroughbreds, such as those at Fasig-Tipton's annual November sale, can fetch seven figures at auction.
—Hayley Cuccinello, CNBC, 1 May 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 25 Jul. 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
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