purebred

adjective

pure·​bred ˈpyu̇r-ˈbred How to pronounce purebred (audio)
-ˌbred
: bred from members of a recognized breed, strain, or kind without admixture of other blood over many generations
purebred noun

Examples of purebred in a Sentence

that horse is a purebred Arabian
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.
The American Kennel Club, the world's largest registry of purebred dogs, revealed its ranking for the most popular dog breeds of 2024 on Tuesday. Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2025 The American Kennel Club (AKC), the world's largest purebred dog registry, revealed on Tuesday, March 18, that the French bulldog is the AKC's most popular breed for the third year in a row. Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 18 Mar. 2025 Mushers gather at trailheads and parking lots for long weekends of racing, with world-champion sprinters (often huge, muscular pointers with legs a mile long) competing alongside teams of purebred Siberians and assorted mutts. Blair Braverman, Outside Online, 18 Feb. 2025 Animal welfare organizations have long advocated for regulating purebred breeders, due to the many purebred pets that face neglect or abandonment after being bred in unsanitary conditions or for profit, something that Helen Woodward Animal Center echoes. Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for purebred

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of purebred was in 1839

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Purebred.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purebred. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

purebred

adjective
pure·​bred -ˈbred How to pronounce purebred (audio)
: bred from members of a recognized breed, strain, or kind without cross-breeding over many generations
purebred noun

Medical Definition

purebred

adjective
pure·​bred -ˈbred How to pronounce purebred (audio)
: bred from members of a recognized breed, strain, or kind without outbreeding over many generations
purebred noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!