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Thanksgiving Day

American  

noun

  1. a national holiday celebrated as a day of feasting and giving thanks for divine favors or goodness, observed on the fourth Thursday of November in the U.S. and in Canada on the second Monday of October.


Thanksgiving Day British  

noun

  1. Often shortened to: Thanksgiving.  an annual day of holiday celebrated in thanksgiving to God on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States, and on the second Monday of October in Canada

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What does Thanksgiving Day mean? Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada that is traditionally observed with family gatherings and large meals.It’s commonly just called Thanksgiving. It is observed in the U.S. on the fourth Thursday of November, and in Canada on the second Monday of October.Today, observation of Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. is traditionally centered around a large meal, especially one that includes a roast turkey. Other traditional Thanksgiving dishes include mashed potatoes, stuffing or dressing, and pumpkin pie. The association with eating turkey has led to the informal nickname Turkey Day.The word thanksgiving means the act of expressing or feeling thankfulness. In other words, it’s the act of giving thanks for what you’re grateful for.Example: My family has a tradition of going on a leisurely hike on Thanksgiving Day to spend some time outdoors before the big meal.

Etymology

Origin of Thanksgiving Day

An Americanism dating back to 1665–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In his Thanksgiving Day letter to Berkshire shareholders this year, Buffett touched on the importance of being open to a change in one’s thinking.

From Barron's

On Thanksgiving Day, parts of Kern County also experienced tule fog.

From Los Angeles Times

Ahead of the release of the trailer, the mother of two shared further insights into her Thanksgiving Day plans with Prince Harry and their two children in the latest issue of the As Ever newsletter.

From MarketWatch

Adjusted for inflation, however, the forecasted average national gas price of $3.02 for Thanksgiving Day would the lowest for the holiday since the pandemic, it said.

From MarketWatch

On Thursday, a “Stranger Things” float appeared in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.

From Los Angeles Times