thought

noun

\ ˈthȯt

Definition of thought

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : something that is thought: such as

a : an individual act or product of thinking

b : a developed intention or plan had no thought of leaving home

c : something (such as an opinion or belief) in the mind he spoke his thoughts freely

d : the intellectual product or the organized views and principles of a period, place, group, or individual contemporary Western thought

2a : the action or process of thinking : cogitation

b : serious consideration : regard

c archaic : recollection, remembrance

3a : reasoning power

b : the power to imagine : conception

a thought

: a little : somewhat a thought too much vinegar in the dressing

thought

Definition of thought (Entry 2 of 2)

past tense and past participle of think

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about thought

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Choose the Right Synonym for thought

Noun

idea, concept, conception, thought, notion, impression mean what exists in the mind as a representation (as of something comprehended) or as a formulation (as of a plan). idea may apply to a mental image or formulation of something seen or known or imagined, to a pure abstraction, or to something assumed or vaguely sensed. innovative ideas my idea of paradise concept may apply to the idea formed by consideration of instances of a species or genus or, more broadly, to any idea of what a thing ought to be. a society with no concept of private property conception is often interchangeable with concept; it may stress the process of imagining or formulating rather than the result. our changing conception of what constitutes art thought is likely to suggest the result of reflecting, reasoning, or meditating rather than of imagining. commit your thoughts to paper notion suggests an idea not much resolved by analysis or reflection and may suggest the capricious or accidental. you have the oddest notions impression applies to an idea or notion resulting immediately from some stimulation of the senses. the first impression is of soaring height

Examples of thought in a Sentence

Noun

He could easily have held the audience for a one-hour answer that ranged from his thoughts on jazz to his soap-opera career playing gangsters … — Calvin Trillin, Nation, 28 May 2007 … thoughts expressed while sitting alone at the keyboard would be put more diplomatically—or go unmentioned—face to face. — Daniel Goleman, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2007 Yes, well don't forget, sir, we're viewing this with twenty-twenty hindsight, but at the time no one gave a thought to geckos or what they ate—they were just another fact of life in the tropics. — T. Coraghessan Boyle, Harper's, April 1993 My first thought was that something must have changed. The thought of leaving never crossed my mind. Do you have any thoughts about the subject? She abandoned all thoughts of going home. It was just a thought. She was lost in thought. She abandoned all thought of going home. They should have put more thought into the proposal. While you're enjoying the holidays, you should spare a thought for those who are less fortunate. He has no thought for anyone but himself.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

While used clothing is thought to be better for the environment one thing thats not clear from the report is what this shift will mean from a sustainability perspective. — Alyssa Hardy, Teen Vogue, "In The Future We’ll All Probably Be Wearing Used Clothing," 20 Mar. 2019 Our thoughts are with Luke’s family during this most difficult time. — Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, "What Will Happen to "Riverdale" Following Luke Perry's Death?," 4 Mar. 2019 However, the thought of manually sanding it off sounds so much worse than actually having to look at the ceiling itself. — Maddie Hiatt, House Beautiful, "This Is The Easiest Way to Remove Popcorn Ceilings," 4 Mar. 2019 Notably, the oldest item in the collection is thought to be the Bristowe Hat. — Victoria Murphy, Town & Country, "Inside the Archive That Houses 500 Years of Royal Family Fashion," 17 Feb. 2019 Wearing this gem is thought to help your courage and increase your joy. — Zoe Ruffner, Vogue, "What’s Your Sign? Karen Elson on Her New Birthstone Perfume Bottle Tops," 18 Jan. 2019 Our thoughts are with her family, friends and fans during this difficult time. — Kelly O'sullivan, Country Living, "'The Voice' Star Beverly McClellan Has Died of Cancer at 49," 1 Nov. 2018 Surgery is thought to help by affecting hormones, gut bacteria and other substances that affect how the body handles insulin and blood sugar. — Carla K. Johnson, The Seattle Times, "Obesity surgery may lower heart-attack danger in diabetics, study finds," 16 Oct. 2018 The condition has long been thought to be a medical emergency because of the risk for a burst appendix, which can be life-threatening. — Fox News, "Pills for appendicitis? Surgery often not needed, study says," 25 Sep. 2018

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