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
Dave Smith, Fortune, 30 Oct. 2025
Ruidoso lives on, fierce as the thoroughbred breaking from its gate: scarred already, but running anyway.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Rudie Obias, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2025
The trend toward horses racing less often at all levels of the game is widely attributed to modern breeding practices producing less-hardy thoroughbreds.
—Kevin Modesti, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for thoroughbred
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Adjective
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
Ruidoso lives on, fierce as the thoroughbred breaking from its gate: scarred already, but running anyway.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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
The trend toward horses racing less often at all levels of the game is widely attributed to modern breeding practices producing less-hardy thoroughbreds.
—Kevin Modesti, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 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 5 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
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