thanksgiving

noun

thanks·​giv·​ing thaŋ(k)s-ˈgi-viŋ 

also

ˈthaŋ(k)s-ˌgi- 

1

a

Thanksgiving : thanksgiving day

b

: a public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness

2

: the act of giving thanks

3

: a prayer expressing gratitude

Examples of thanksgiving in a Sentence

They sang a hymn of thanksgiving.

Recent Examples on the Web

Hailey and Justin Bieber also described their favorite ways to relax (the spa), favorite cities (a split between New York and Los Angeles) and favorite holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas). — Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026

Thanksgiving demand will push prices up, so compare options early. — Dan Avery,lily Wolfson, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026

Paulie on the Sopranos — whose family spent Thanksgivings and Easters at Marco Polo for years, have died. — Rachel Corbett, Curbed, 31 Aug. 2026

When July 4, 1827 arrived, Black churches gathered in prayer and thanksgiving as legal slavery came to an end in New York. — Tunisia Morrison, New York Daily News, 5 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for thanksgiving

• almsgiving
• caregiving
• forgiving
• misgiving
• nonliving
• reliving
• giving
• living
• sieving
• unforgiving

Kids Definition

thanksgiving

noun

thanks·​giv·​ing thaŋ(k)s-ˈgiv-iŋ 

1

: the act of giving thanks

2

: a prayer expressing gratitude

3

capitalized : thanksgiving day