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
Stephanie Kuzydym, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Apr. 2026
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
Clark Spencer, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Bred with stronger British mares, these thoroughbreds define the sport.
—Camilla Wright, semafor.com, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for thoroughbred
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Adjective
With 31 days until thoroughbred racing's finest run for the roses, a federal judge opened his 32-page opinion on the executive-level feud between a horseracing regulator and a billion-dollar racetrack group with a question.
—Stephanie Kuzydym, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Apr. 2026
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
Noun
Among his who’s who of outstanding horses, Bill Mott trained Cigar, the great thoroughbred whose statue overlooks the paddock walking ring at Gulfstream Park.
—Clark Spencer, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
Bred with stronger British mares, these thoroughbreds define the sport.
—Camilla Wright, semafor.com, 17 Feb. 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 5 Apr. 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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