thoroughbred

1 of 2

adjective

thor·​ough·​bred ˈthər-ə-ˌbred How to pronounce thoroughbred (audio)
ˈthə-rə-
Synonyms of thoroughbrednext
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

Illustration of thoroughbred
  • Thoroughbred

Examples of thoroughbred in a Sentence

Adjective a thoroughbred dog
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Santa Anita is postponing the opening of its 89th winter-spring thoroughbred racing season for two days to Sunday, Dec. 28, because of forecasts for heavy rain in Southern California. Kevin Modesti, Oc Register, 21 Dec. 2025 The Terraces, which has been open since May, proudly displays art commemorating the area’s Black heritage and the Preakness thoroughbred horse races that take place every year just a few blocks away. Andrea Riquier, USA Today, 13 Dec. 2025
Noun
Per The Wall Street Journal, he was originally introduced to the property by his horse trainer, who was looking at a small part of it for keeping thoroughbreds. Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 18 Dec. 2025 Loading up the thoroughbred in the trailer from Davis to Judy's East Sacramento street. Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for thoroughbred

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1701, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Noun

1728, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of thoroughbred was in 1701

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thoroughbred.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thoroughbred. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

thoroughbred

1 of 2 adjective
thor·​ough·​bred ˈthər-ə-ˌbred How to pronounce thoroughbred (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on thoroughbred

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