thanked; thanking; thanks

transitive verb

1
: to express gratitude to
thanked her for the present
used in the phrase thank you usually without a subject to politely express gratitude
thank you for your consideration
or sometimes to emphasize a preceding statement especially by implying that it is not subject to question
likes her job just fine, thank you
used in such phrases as thank God, thank goodness usually without a subject to express gratitude or more often only the speaker's or writer's pleasure or satisfaction in something
2
: to hold responsible
had only himself to thank for his loss
thanker noun

Examples of thank in a Sentence

I want to thank everyone who helped today. There's no need to thank me. Anyone would have done the same.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Lai visited army engineers and anti-submarine helicopter crews at bases in the southern city of Kaohsiung to thank them for their efforts before the traditional Dragon Boat festival at the end of the month. Ben Blanchard, USA Today, 17 May 2025 Leah Gallegos thanked police for continuing to investigate her daughter's murder. Phil Helsel, NBC news, 16 May 2025 Sony Pictures Classics’ Barker presented Ben Ammar with the prize, recounting how film legends like Lucas, Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford hustled to thank the dealmaker at the recent AFI Life Achievement Award ceremony for Francis Ford Coppola. Brent Lang, Variety, 15 May 2025 The post also noted the ceremony served as an opportunity to thank outgoing Mayor Ron Gardiner, Clerk Camiella Williams and Trustees Ron Clark and Dion Lynch for their service to the community. Samantha Moilanen, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for thank

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English thancian; akin to Old English thanc gratitude — more at thanks

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of thank was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thank. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

thank

verb
1
: to express gratitude to
thanked her for the present
2
: to hold responsible
had only myself to thank for my loss

More from Merriam-Webster on thank

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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