quarter horse
Americannoun
-
one of a breed of strong horses developed in the U.S. for short-distance races, usually a quarter of a mile.
-
a horse of this breed used in herding livestock.
noun
Etymology
Origin of quarter horse
An Americanism dating back to 1825–35
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.
Danger, a chestnut quarter horse with a white blaze down his face and a deep copper coat, was born the same summer Hunter first wore an Auburn jersey.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 10, 2025
The track will host the All American Futurity - the richest quarter horse race - over the Labor Day weekend.
From Washington Times • Aug. 25, 2023
After starting with harness horses, Yakteen got hired by a white-haired quarter horse trainer named Baffert, who had left Arizona to chase his own dream.
From Seattle Times • May 4, 2022
Nature This new episode documents the history of American horse breeds, including Appaloosa, Morgan, mustang and quarter horse.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2022
At Setauket a fine quarter horse drank from a trough in a field which the planes had sprayed; ten hours later it was dead.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
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.
