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
Synonyms
Examples of thoroughbred in a Sentence
Adjective
a thoroughbred dog
Recent Examples on the Web
Helen Iatrou, Robb Report, 10 Jan. 2025
Constructed with teak decking, mahogany woodwork and masts made of Sitka spruce, the boat was a thoroughbred under sail—sleek, responsive and, above all, fast.
—David Wolman, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025
Patrick Scott, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Advertisement At Calumet Farm in central Kentucky, the thoroughbreds were led to their stalls Sunday afternoon before freezing rain turned their pastures into a slick glaze of snow and ice.
—Patrick Whittle and Brian Witte, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for thoroughbred 
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Adjective
Oysters are generally considered in the global cruising community as thoroughbred bluewater yachts that can go anywhere.
—Helen Iatrou, Robb Report, 10 Jan. 2025
Constructed with teak decking, mahogany woodwork and masts made of Sitka spruce, the boat was a thoroughbred under sail—sleek, responsive and, above all, fast.
—David Wolman, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
At Pebbles Beach, watch the early morning procession of thoroughbreds from the nearby race track led into the sea for a bath and a swim.
—Patrick Scott, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Advertisement At Calumet Farm in central Kentucky, the thoroughbreds were led to their stalls Sunday afternoon before freezing rain turned their pastures into a slick glaze of snow and ice.
—Patrick Whittle and Brian Witte, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for thoroughbred
Dictionary Entries Near thoroughbred
Cite this Entry
“Thoroughbred.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thoroughbred. Accessed 30 Jan. 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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