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
Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
Special focus will be given to African American jockeys, the evolution of thoroughbred racing in Maryland and the cultural impact of the Preakness.
—Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 24 July 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
Like a thoroughbred bursting out of the Kentucky Derby starting gate, the second Trump administration has been racing full speed ahead ever since Trump was inaugurated once again as president of the United States.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
Special focus will be given to African American jockeys, the evolution of thoroughbred racing in Maryland and the cultural impact of the Preakness.
—Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 24 July 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 7 Aug. 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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