thoroughbred
adjective
of pure or unmixed breed, stock, or lineage, as a horse or other animal; bred from the purest and best blood.
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thoroughbred
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Thoroughbred
Thoroughbrednouna British breed of horse the ancestry of which can be traced to English mares and Arab sires; most often used as a racehorse
thoroughbred
American
[thur-oh-bred, -uh-bred, thuhr-]
/ ˈθɜr oʊˌbrɛd, -əˌbrɛd, ˈθʌr- /
adjective
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of pure or unmixed breed, stock, or lineage, as a horse or other animal; bred from the purest and best blood.
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(sometimes initial capital letter) of or relating to the Thoroughbred breed of horses.
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(of a person) having good breeding or education.
noun
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(initial capital letter) one of a breed of horses, to which all racehorses belong, originally developed in England by crossing Arabian stallions with European mares.
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a thoroughbred animal.
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a well-bred or well-educated person.
thoroughbred
1
British
/ ˈθʌrəˌbrɛd /
adjective
noun
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a pedigree animal; purebred
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a person regarded as being of good breeding
Thoroughbred
2
British
/ ˈθʌrəˌbrɛd /
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of thoroughbred
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The Sixth Circuit in December 2025 upheld the constitutionality of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, a nonprofit that regulates thoroughbred racing.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026
She grew up in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., which is known for thoroughbred racing, but her family was involved in harness racing and she never wanted to be a trainer anyway.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 3, 2026
“Bringing together two prestigious racing brands, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, is a significant step toward the successful longevity and growth of the American Triple Crown of thoroughbred racing,” Stronach said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 21, 2026
Dale Romans, a thoroughbred racehorse trainer, has also made waves in the race since entering the primary in November, though no polling has been conducted that includes Romans.
From Salon ● Dec. 19, 2025
He was confused now, but Dessie could hold his bit and point him, the way a handler points a thoroughbred at the barrier to show his breeding and his form.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
“If I have the right horse, I’ll continue to run in Baltimore every May, as well as in The Thoroughbred Series,” Baffert posted on X.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 8, 2026
Both measures were opposed by Southern California tracks and the California Thoroughbred Trainers and the TOC.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 26, 2026
But neither Santa Anita nor the Thoroughbred Owners of California requested an agenda item by the cutoff 12 days ago.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 15, 2026
Fierceness finishes ahead of Preakness Stakes winner Journalism to win the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club on Saturday.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 30, 2025
He said, “I can have anybody I want in my group”— implying that he didn’t want her because she wasn’t good enough—and he mentioned the great Thoroughbred stallion Secretariat.
From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
