thoroughbred

1 of 2

adjective

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

thoroughbred

2 of 2

noun

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

Illustration of thoroughbred

• Thoroughbred

Synonyms of thoroughbred

Adjective

• blooded
• pedigreed
• purebred

Examples of thoroughbred in a Sentence

Adjective

a thoroughbred dog

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

That meant thoroughbred and harness racing have had to share the track, taking turns with each style of racing. —Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026

The renovation will make Pimlico the permanent home of Maryland thoroughbred racing and will allow the facility to host more than 100 racing days each year. —Caroline Foreback, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026

Noun

Bred with stronger British mares, these thoroughbreds define the sport. —Camilla Wright, semafor.com, 17 Feb. 2026

The study involving six thoroughbreds showed little evidence of performance enhancement despite measurable exposure to the drug. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 21 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1701, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Noun

1728, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for thoroughbred

• abovesaid
• aforesaid
• arrowhead
• casinghead
• copperhead
• figurehead
• fountainhead
• gingerbread
• hammerhead
• infrared
• leatherhead
• letterhead

Kids 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 noun

1

: a purebred or pedigreed animal

2

capitalized : any of an English breed of light speedy horses kept chiefly for racing