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

What Kentucky is to thoroughbred horses, Belgium is to racing pigeons. —Sharyn Alfonsi, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026

For a true behind-the-scenes look into horse racing and raising, Mint Julep Tours pairs a thoroughbred farm visit (complete with racing legends) with a distillery tour and tasting (at either Buffalo Trace or Bulleit). —Hillary Richard, Robb Report, 23 Apr. 2026

Noun

Thanks to the Racing Act of 1975, by 1985 the number of thoroughbreds foaled in Illinois had increased from 481 at the time of the legislation to 1,859. —Neil Milbert, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2026

Kentucky is the equine center of the nation, with horse farms producing prize-winning thoroughbreds, trotters, and pacers for many decades; distilleries have been making bourbon in the state legally (and illegally) for centuries. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 29 Apr. 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