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
Ayana Archie, NPR, 2 May 2025
The Regulatory Division has day to day oversight of 5,200 tobacco permits, 6,500 alcohol permits, more than 50 medical marijuana permits, the state's three casinos, and live thoroughbred racing.
—Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Online, 24 June 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
The horses About 20,000 thoroughbred foals are born in North America each year, Lawyer said.
—Ayana Archie, NPR, 2 May 2025
The Regulatory Division has day to day oversight of 5,200 tobacco permits, 6,500 alcohol permits, more than 50 medical marijuana permits, the state's three casinos, and live thoroughbred racing.
—Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Online, 24 June 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 19 Jul. 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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