thousand

noun

thou·​sand ˈthau̇-zᵊn(d) 

plural thousands or thousand

1

: a number equal to 10 times 100 see Table of Numbers

2

: a very large number

thousands of ants

thousand adjective

thousandfold

ˈthau̇-zᵊn(d)-ˌfōld 

adjective or adverb

thousandth

ˈthau̇-zᵊn(t)th 

adjective or noun

Examples of thousand in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Iranian authorities have blocked access to the internet, arrested thousands and killed hundreds of protesters. —Narges Bajoghli, Time, 13 Jan. 2026

Today, there are hundreds—nay, thousands—of purse charms and keychains to choose from (like this funky gold initial charm from Fohufo). —Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026

Tens of thousands of pro-government demonstrators also took to the streets on Monday after days of protests challenging the rule of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. —Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 13 Jan. 2026

During the legislative session of 2025, the nonprofit also organized education advocacy marches that drew thousands of people to the Texas Capitol. —Austin American Statesman, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English thūsend; akin to Old High German dūsunt thousand, Lithuanian tūkstantis, and probably to Sanskrit tavas strong, Latin tumēre to swell — more at thumb entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing thousand

• a picture is worth a thousand words
• bat a thousand
• never/not in a thousand/million/billion years
• thousand-legger

Kids Definition

thousand

noun

thou·​sand ˈthau̇z-ᵊn(d) 

plural thousands or thousand

1

: a number equal to 10 times 100 see number

2

: a very large number

thousands of ants

thousand adjective