thoroughbred

1 of 2

adjective

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

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

• Thoroughbred

Synonyms of thoroughbred

Adjective

• blooded
• pedigreed
• purebred

Examples of thoroughbred in a Sentence

Adjective

a thoroughbred dog

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The racetrack hosted both thoroughbred and harness races over the years. —Adam Harrington, CBS News, 17 May 2026

They were joined by avid equestrienne Princess Anne, who congratulated the qualifiers for a thoroughbred riding event on scene. —Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026

Noun

Rather than run in the Preakness, Golden Tempo’s connections are pointing their thoroughbred toward the Belmont Stakes at the Saratoga Racetrack next month. —Geoff Clark Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 May 2026

Fourteen thoroughbreds will bring a variety of speed, size and pedigree to Laurel Park on Saturday for the 151st Preakness Stakes. —NBC news, 16 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1701, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Noun

1728, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for thoroughbred

• abovesaid
• aforesaid
• arrowhead
• casinghead
• copperhead
• figurehead
• fountainhead
• gingerbread
• hammerhead
• infrared
• leatherhead
• letterhead

Kids 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 noun

1

: a purebred or pedigreed animal

2

capitalized : any of an English breed of light speedy horses kept chiefly for racing