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

The former and future president will ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday to mark the start of the day’s trading, according to a source familiar with his plans. —Michael Collins, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024

Kylie's podcast had reportedly placed second on the charts before its premiere on Thursday, December 5, and eventually clinched the top spot on Monday, December 9 and is still holding it down. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

For those who can’t make it to Utah, the festival will shift into hybrid mode on the second Thursday, Jan. 30, streaming 60% of its titles to the public. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 Dec. 2024

It was also announced that Season 5 will debut Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, though no release pattern was shared. —Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 11 Dec. 2024

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.