thinking

1 of 2

noun

think·​ing ˈthiŋ-kiŋ 

1

: the action of using one's mind to produce thoughts

2

a

: opinion, judgment

I'd like to know your thinking on this

b

: thought that is characteristic (as of a period, group, or person)

the current student thinking on fraternities

thinking

2 of 2

adjective

: marked by use of the intellect : rational

thinking citizens

thinkingly adverb

thinkingness noun

Synonyms

Adjective

• reasoning
• rational
• intelligent

Examples of thinking in a Sentence

Noun

Form your own opinions: don't let others do your thinking for you!

I've been doing some thinking about this, and I don't think you're right after all.

The school's curriculum encourages independent thinking.

A piece of quick thinking got us out of trouble.

I'd like to know your thinking on this.

What is the current thinking on the subject?

Adjective

Chess is a thinking man's game.

it's surprising to find thinking people who believe such nonsense

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The brain has always been central to the most insightful thinking on warfare, whether that’s ancient China’s Sun Tzu, who prized deception and self-knowledge, or early 19th-century Prussia’s Carl von Clausewitz, for whom war was a clash of wills. —Big Think, 18 Oct. 2025

When too much brainpower goes toward meeting basic needs like rent or groceries, long-term thinking and innovation fade, depriving society of creativity and progress. —Scott Ellis, Time, 17 Oct. 2025

Adjective

Nibert loved the free-thinking spirit of the village and its college. —Keith Bierygolick, Cincinnati.com, 28 Aug. 2019

Credit Gus Malzahn for being proactive and thinking long-term in choosing his starting quarterback. —Creg Stephenson | [e-mail], al, 22 Aug. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1674, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing thinking

• critical thinking
• deceive oneself into thinking
• forward-thinking
• lateral thinking
• put one's thinking cap on
• put on one's thinking cap
• thinking cap
• to someone's way of thinking
• wishful thinking

Rhymes for thinking

• blinking
• clinking
• drinking
• inking
• kinking
• linking
• shrinking
• sinking
• slinking
• stinking
• winking
• freethinking

Kids Definition

thinking

1 of 2 noun

1

: the action of using one's mind to produce thoughts

2

a

: opinion sense 1, judgment

it is, to my thinking, utter nonsense

b

: thought entry 2 sense 2

the current thinking on the subject

thinking

2 of 2 adjective

: marked by use of the power of thinking

thinking citizens