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
The Know, Denver Post, 18 May 2025
At the 2025 Kentucky Derby, Keith's Dream Walkin' Farms will debut its first thoroughbred horse in the derby.
—Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 3 May 2025
Ben Church, CNN Money, 17 May 2025
Nine of the best 3-year-old thoroughbreds will compete for the Woodlawn Vase at Pimlico Race Course.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for thoroughbred
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Adjective
Lexington, a thoroughbred stallion of the 1850s, was the greatest racer ever.
—The Know, Denver Post, 18 May 2025
At the 2025 Kentucky Derby, Keith's Dream Walkin' Farms will debut its first thoroughbred horse in the derby.
—Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 3 May 2025
Noun
The three-year-old thoroughbred finished ahead of 18 other horses on a muddy track at Churchill Downs Racetrack on May 3 but will not be looking to repeat the feat at the Pimlico Race Course on Saturday.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 17 May 2025
Nine of the best 3-year-old thoroughbreds will compete for the Woodlawn Vase at Pimlico Race Course.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 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 28 May. 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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