purebred

adjective

pure·​bred ˈpyu̇r-ˈbred How to pronounce purebred (audio)
-ˌbred
: bred from members of a recognized breed, strain, or kind without admixture of other blood over many generations
purebred noun

Examples of purebred in a Sentence

that horse is a purebred Arabian
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There is some evidence that suggests mixed-breed dogs live longer than purebred dogs, according to a 2019 study, but the difference in lifespan decreases if the mixed-breed dogs are bigger. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024 Mars used the inheritance to raise purebred Hereford cattle and to buy a stockyard. Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024 Lawmakers later strengthened the law to forbid all retail dog sales after finding dubious rescues began selling purebred and designer puppies to pet stores. Melody Gutierrez, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2024 There are far fewer breeds of cats than dogs, and fewer purebred cats were represented in our study compared with dogs. Judith Stella, Discover Magazine, 5 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for purebred 

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of purebred was in 1839

Dictionary Entries Near purebred

Cite this Entry

“Purebred.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purebred. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

purebred

adjective
pure·​bred -ˈbred How to pronounce purebred (audio)
: bred from members of a recognized breed, strain, or kind without cross-breeding over many generations
purebred noun

Medical Definition

purebred

adjective
pure·​bred -ˈbred How to pronounce purebred (audio)
: bred from members of a recognized breed, strain, or kind without outbreeding over many generations
purebred noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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