thickening

noun

thick·​en·​ing ˈthi-kə-niŋ 

ˈthik-

1

: a thickened part or place

2

: the act of making or becoming thick

3

: something used to thicken

Examples of thickening in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The imaging revealed some thickening in my breast tissue, which can indicate anything from an infection or cyst to (rarely) cancer. —Jillian Wager, Glamour, 30 Mar. 2026

Many thickening conditioners rely on silicones or heavy coatings to create the illusion of fullness, which can backfire over time by weighing hair down further. —Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026

Look to the southern sky as darkness falls on March 27 to see the thickening form of the waxing gibbous moon glowing close to the stars of the Beehive Cluster (M44) at the heart of the constellation Cancer, the crab. —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 26 Mar. 2026

Expect thickening clouds overnight into Sunday, with a bit of a breeze. —Andrew Kozak, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for thickening

• quickening
• sickening

Kids Definition

thickening

noun

thick·​en·​ing

1

: the act of making or becoming thick

underwent a gradual thickening

2

: a thickened part or place

3

: something used to thicken