thirst

noun \ ˈthərst \

|Updated on: 16 Jun 2018

Definition of thirst

1 a : a sensation of dryness in the mouth and throat associated with a desire for liquids; also : the bodily condition (as of dehydration) that induces this sensation

b : a desire or need to drink

2 : an ardent desire : craving, longing

a thirst for success

See thirst defined for English-language learners

See thirst defined for kids

Examples of thirst in a Sentence

his thirst for knowledge is evident in his book-filled house
an unquenchable thirst for travel that has led her to the far corners of the globe

Recent Examples of thirst from the Web

The need for money among many budding college athletes and their families as well as the thirst for money among universities, coaches, sport agents and sporting goods companies drive these violations and the resulting exploitation.

— william h. noack and don kusler, star-telegram, "Pro-con: Was Condoleezza Rice right in recommending that college athletes not be paid?," 8 June 2018
No, technologies like these won’t quench the world’s thirst.

— matt simon, WIRED, "Wanna Pull Water Out of Air? Grab Some Ions or a Weird Sponge," 8 June 2018
For everyone else, here’s this passion-fruit-forward gift, which is tart, thirst quenching, and perfect after a long, sweaty run.

— ac shilton, Outside Online, "The Definitive Summer Guide to Shower Beer," 6 June 2018
Some say Milwaukee’s sudsy reputation exploded after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, when the Illinois city’s thirst could not be quenched and Milwaukee sent water and beer southward.

— mike pramik, USA TODAY, "Milwaukee breweries from classic to craft," 6 June 2018
Fried pickles make a thirst-inducing counterpoint to a cold beer (a Mobius strip of snack and beverage).

— Anchorage Daily News, "Out-of-town guests? Here’s where to take them to eat around Anchorage.," 31 May 2018
Because ultimately, at the end of the day, that is usually the difference-maker — the competitiveness, the thirst, needing that competition.

— broderick turner, latimes.com, "Clippers value the 30 minutes they get with each prospect at NBA draft combine," 19 May 2018
As Montag discovers from his interaction with Clarisse, this thirst for knowledge is a very dangerous thing.

— refinery29.com, "Jog Your Brain On What Fahrenheit 451 Is Actually About," 18 May 2018
What this means is that Trump Jr. is about to be single — and with singledom comes thirst and with thirst comes the possibility of dating apps.

— gabriella paiella, The Cut, "What Would Donald Trump Jr.’s Dating Profile Look Like?," 15 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'thirst.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of thirst

Middle English, from Old English thurst; akin to Old High German durst thirst, Latin torrēre to dry, parch, Old Irish tart dryness, thirst, Greek tersesthai to become dry

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

thirst Synonyms

thirst

verb

Definition of thirst

thirsted; thirsting; thirsts

intransitive verb

1 : to feel thirsty : suffer thirst

2 : to crave vehemently and urgently

thirsted for revenge

thirsting

after justice

—

thirster

noun

See thirst defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of thirst from the Web

These are products methodically designed by behavioral scientists employed by the richest companies in the world, working to keep us endlessly engaged, forever thirsting for our next like.

— michael zelenko, The Verge, "There’s no perfect minimalist phone — yet," 3 May 2018
Avicii: True Stories Documentary Avicii was an elusive creature, and fans thirsted for a chance to peek inside his world.

— kat bein, Billboard, "Avicii's Most Memorable Moments: From Madonna to Arenas & More," 20 Apr. 2018
Any traveler thirsting for a combination of culture, relaxation, and a storied history need look no further than Wyoming.

— Sunset, "Living in the West: The Best of Cowboy Country," 22 Jan. 2018
Players continue to thirst for the feeling of gliding a Lamborghini around a gentle curve rendered as accurately as possible, and only a handful of studios currently has the budget or the infrastructure to keep up.

— steven t. wright, Ars Technica, "Life in (virtual) pit lane: The war stories of video game car design," 28 Apr. 2018
Avengers: Infinity Wars is nearly upon us, signaling both the death of a bunch of beloved superheroes, probably, and a marketing cycle that thirsts for the blood of every possible cash cow.

— megan farokhmanesh, The Verge, "In honor of Avengers: Infinity War, Build-a-Bear is releasing a series of cursed murder bears," 19 Apr. 2018
Such distractions are thirsted for, of course, by many in the Capitol during the budget process, an always laborious process marked by late nights and severe cases of cabin fever.

— jesse mckinley, New York Times, "We Interrupt These Budget Talks for a Reporter’s Arrest and a Coyote," 28 Mar. 2018
That includes perhaps putting Iran back on a path to developing nuclear weapons and thus starting not just the war that Mr Bolton has long thirsted for, but also a helter-skelter of proliferation in a volatile region close to Europe.

— The Economist, "The deal that curtails Iran’s nuclear ambitions seems doomed," 28 Mar. 2018
But researchers thirst for the next big thing—the discovery that would take progress on battery tech from a crawl to a sprint.

— tom parrett, Newsweek, "Batteries That Will Save the Planet," 13 Dec. 2014

First Known Use of thirst

before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Synonym Discussion of thirst

long, yearn, hanker, pine, hunger, thirst mean to have a strong desire for something. long implies a wishing with one's whole heart and often a striving to attain.

- longed for some rest

yearn suggests an eager, restless, or painful longing.

- yearned for a stage career

hanker suggests the uneasy promptings of unsatisfied appetite or desire.

- always hankering for money

pine implies a languishing or a fruitless longing for what is impossible.

- pined for a lost love

hunger and thirst imply an insistent or impatient craving or a compelling need.

- hungered for a business of his own
- thirsted for power

THIRST Defined for English Language Learners

thirst

noun

Definition of thirst for English Language Learners

: an uncomfortable feeling that is caused by the need for something to drink
: a very great need for something to drink
: a strong desire for something

thirst

verb

Definition of thirst for English Language Learners

: to have or feel a strong desire

THIRST Defined for Kids

thirst

noun \ ˈthərst \

Definition of thirst for Students

1 : a feeling of dryness in the mouth and throat that accompanies a need for liquids

2 : the bodily condition that produces thirst

die of thirst

3 : a strong desire

a thirst for knowledge

thirst

verb

Definition of thirst for Students

thirsted; thirsting

1 : to feel a need for liquids

2 : to have a strong desire

They thirst for freedom.

Medical Dictionary

thirst

noun \ ˈthərst \

medical Definition of thirst

: a sensation of dryness in the mouth and throat associated with a desire for liquids; also : the bodily condition (as of dehydration) that induces this sensation