thirst

noun \ ˈthərst \

|Updated on: 10 Aug 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

Erik Spoelstra, though, can’t switch his thirst for knowledge off.

— manny navarro, miamiherald, "Heat's Erik Spoelstra shares details of visit to NFL camp, talks Jones Jr., Adebayo," 5 July 2018
Quench your thirst for a brew and a view at these seasonal beer gardens.

— kathy flanigan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Guide to Milwaukee beer gardens — 2018 edition," 4 May 2018
This single is a funny, low-key hookup song, a perfect antidote to all Drake’s bald thirst.

— allison p. davis, The Cut, "What Songs Should You Listen To on Scorpion?," 29 June 2018
Amazon Prime is here with just the show that will quench your thirst for all things deeply British and deeply political with another based-on-true-events period piece A Very English Scandal.

— refinery29.com, "If You Miss The Crown, Treat Yourself To A Very English Scandal," 29 June 2018
To subtly invigorate the room’s neutral palette and satisfy the husband’s thirst for polychromatic moments, Mr. McCarthy hung the walls with unlethargic art.

— kathryn o’shea-evans, WSJ, "A Living Room for People Who Love Neutrals—but Hate Dullness," 21 June 2018
Quench your thirst with a cold Bintang or some coconut water from one of the makeshift warungs set up on the sand.

— sebastian modak, Condé Nast Traveler, "3 Days in Lombok, Indonesia," 16 Apr. 2018
Luke Bryan quenches his thirst between songs at PNC Music Pavilion on Friday night.

— théoden janes, charlotteobserver, "Review: Luke Bryan’s concert was definitely hot. Was it casually political? Maybe...," 30 June 2018
Drinking water is vital in preventing dehydration after an extended period of fasting, particularly as some observers would have gone up to 17 hours without quenching their thirst each day.

— maritza moulite, CNN, "Eid al-Fitr: A healthy way to break the fast," 14 June 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

In what was probably its least unexpected ruling, written by the least unexpected justice, the Supreme Court on Wednesday delivered a blow to public workers for which the right wing has been thirsting for decades.

— michael hiltzik, latimes.com, "With Janus ruling, Supreme Court seals a 40-year campaign to eviscerate worker rights," 27 June 2018
But even though the fans started de-thirsting early, and leaned on the cerveza fria to combat the sun that was already blazing when the match started at 8 a.m., the crowd was super mellow.

— scott ostler, SFChronicle.com, "Fans party at Avaya Stadium as they watch Mexico beat South Korea," 23 June 2018
Every bartender is now a mixologist, serving artisanal cocktails (heavy on cassis) to anyone thirsting for a Runny-Nosed Has-Been.

— steve rushin, SI.com, "How the World Has Changed in the 25 Years Since the Final Cheers Episode," 22 May 2018
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

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