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
Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Once under state ownership, Laurel Park would be reconstructed to serve as a thoroughbred training facility.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Of the roughly 30 horses there, about half are thoroughbreds.
—Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for thoroughbred
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Adjective
Years ago, Hays started a company producing charitable and corporate events, and in 2019 mounted a show for the National Precast Concrete Association at Churchill Downs, the famous thoroughbred racing facility in Louisville, Kentucky, long home to the Kentucky Derby.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Once under state ownership, Laurel Park would be reconstructed to serve as a thoroughbred training facility.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026
Noun
The study involving six thoroughbreds showed little evidence of performance enhancement despite measurable exposure to the drug.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Of the roughly 30 horses there, about half are thoroughbreds.
—Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for thoroughbred
Cite this Entry
“Thoroughbred.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thoroughbred. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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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