Thursday

noun

Thurs·​day ˈthərz-(ˌ)dā  -dē 

: the fifth day of the week

Thursdays

ˈthərz-(ˌ)dāz  -dēz 

adverb

Examples of Thursday in a Sentence

He was late last Thursday.

We went on Thursday and returned on Saturday.

Recent Examples on the Web

Southern California Edison said in Thursday a statement to USA TODAY that the utility is in ongoing discussions with the project owners and the Department of Energy regarding a buyout of the Ivanpah contact. —Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY, 16 Feb. 2025

The snow could continue into most of the day and evening Thursday with a high near 32 and a low around 22. —Racquel Bazos, Baltimore Sun, 15 Feb. 2025

Just 26, Cindric won the second Daytona duel Thursday night in a photo finish and will sit on the front row to start Sunday’s race. —Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2025

On Thursday, two different federal judges temporarily blocked the Trump administration's attempt to shutter USAID. —Chris Arnold, NPR, 15 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English thursdæg, from Old Norse thōrsdagr; akin to Old English thunresdæg Thursday, Old Norse Thōrr Thor, Old English thunor thunder — more at thunder entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing Thursday

• Holy Thursday
• Maundy Thursday

Kids Definition

Thursday

noun

Thurs·​day ˈthərz-dē 

: the fifth day of the week

Etymology

Old English thursdæg, from early Norse thōrsdagr, literally "day of Thor"

Word Origin

Among the many gods worshiped by the Germanic people who lived in northern Europe in ancient times was one whose name was Thor. Thor was the god of thunder, weather, and crops. In the early Norse language, the fifth day of the week was known as thōrsdagr, literally "day of Thor," in his honor. The Norse name came into Old English as thursdæg, which in time became the Modern English Thursday.