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
Danny Brewer,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2026
The state purchased Pimlico in 2024 in a transfer of ownership to renovate and turn the race course into the permanent home of Maryland's thoroughbred racing.
—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
2 July 2026
Robert Daugherty,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Breeding thoroughbreds is complicated and can be mentally and physically exhausting for the horses.
—
Graham Cornwell,
New York Times,
19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for thoroughbred
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Adjective
Thoroughbred racing and Saratoga, New York have been in the same sentence since 1863.
—
Danny Brewer,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2026
The state purchased Pimlico in 2024 in a transfer of ownership to renovate and turn the race course into the permanent home of Maryland's thoroughbred racing.
—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
2 July 2026
Noun
Luxus now transforms luxury handbags into investable portfolios, while MyRacehorse offers fractional ownership in elite thoroughbreds, even celebrating major wins like the Preakness.
—
Robert Daugherty,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Breeding thoroughbreds is complicated and can be mentally and physically exhausting for the horses.
—
Graham Cornwell,
New York Times,
19 June 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 7 Jul. 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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