thanksgiving

noun

thanks·​giv·​ing thaŋ(k)s-ˈgi-viŋ How to pronounce thanksgiving (audio)
also
ˈthaŋ(k)s-ˌgi- How to pronounce thanksgiving (audio)
1
a
capitalized : thanksgiving day
b
: a public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness
2
: the act of giving thanks
3
: a prayer expressing gratitude

Examples of thanksgiving in a Sentence

They sang a hymn of thanksgiving.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Yet the working hands raised in thanksgiving and supplication are offered in humility before God. Imani Perry, The Atlantic, 28 Mar. 2024 This tradition, which marks the start of Christmas celebrations, comes from an old procession performed by olive-oil millers, who used to put fire to the wicker strainer mats used to press the olives as an act of thanksgiving to the Holy Shepherdess (Virgin Mary) for the harvest obtained. Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 15 Dec. 2023 My mother always made mincemeat pies for thanksgiving and Christmas. Daniela Galarza, Washington Post, 9 Nov. 2023 Conversation > Interrupting a thanksgiving day parade is not a way to get people to join your cause. Timothy Bella, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2023 See all Example Sentences for thanksgiving 

Word History

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of thanksgiving was in 1533

Dictionary Entries Near thanksgiving

Cite this Entry

“Thanksgiving.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thanksgiving. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

thanksgiving

noun
thanks·​giv·​ing thaŋ(k)s-ˈgiv-iŋ How to pronounce thanksgiving (audio)
1
: the act of giving thanks
2
: a prayer expressing gratitude
3
capitalized : thanksgiving day

More from Merriam-Webster on thanksgiving

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!