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

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

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 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

Adjective

• blooded
• full-blood
• full-blooded
• pedigreed
• pedigree
• pure-blooded
• pure-blood
• purebred

Examples of thoroughbred in a Sentence

Adjective

a thoroughbred dog

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The site is in Nassau Country, just east of the Queens border and is a major component of the redevelopment happening in the area, including the renovation and downsizing of Belmont Park, the thoroughbred horse race track. —David Moin, WWD, 16 Oct. 2024

The gut microbiomes of month-old thoroughbred foals can predict future racing success. —Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024

Noun

Like thoroughbreds poised for the starting bell, more than 250 veteran baseball players can sign with new teams as free agents starting Monday. —Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024

Almost half a century later, and after two other thoroughbreds with the same name, Cogburn is a horse that has excelled, winning six of his last seven races. —John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1701, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Noun

1728, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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