thanksgiving

American  

[thangks-giv-ing] / ˌθæŋksˈgɪv ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of giving thanks; grateful acknowledgment of benefits or favors, especially to God.

2. an expression of thanks, especially to God.

3. a public celebration in acknowledgment of divine favor or kindness.

4. a day set apart for giving thanks to God.

5. (initial capital letter) Thanksgiving Day.

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thanksgiving British  

/ θæŋksˈɡɪvɪŋ, ˈθæŋksˌɡɪvɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of giving thanks

2. 1. an expression of thanks to God

   2. a public act of religious observance or a celebration in acknowledgment of divine favours

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Usage

What does thanksgiving mean? 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. This sense of the word is often used in a religious context. For example, a prayer of thanksgiving involves praying to express gratitude for the blessings in one’s life. The word thanksgiving is also used as the name of a national holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada. It’s officially known as Thanksgiving Day but is 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, the Thanksgiving holiday in the U. S. is traditionally celebrated with family gatherings and 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. Example: A lot of people forget that Thanksgiving is not just a time for gathering and eating but for actual thanksgiving—acknowledging all of the things we have to be thankful for.

Other Word Forms

• pre-Thanksgiving adjective

Etymology

Origin of thanksgiving

First recorded in 1525–35; thank + -s ³ + give ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. )

Explanation

A thanksgiving is a short prayer before a meal that offers thanks. Thanksgiving is best known as a holiday in which people give thanks. That should help you remember that a thanksgiving is also a short prayer that can be said before any meal on any day. Like the holiday, a thanksgiving expresses gratitude for food. Often, a thanksgiving might express thanks for family, friends, a job, or good news too. A thanksgiving is also called a blessing or grace.

Example Sentences

Rivals stars David Tennant, Danny Dyer and Bella Maclean are among the celebrity guests pictured arriving at the thanksgiving service on Friday morning.

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2026

In October 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving to be celebrated Thursday, Nov. 26 of that year.

From Barron's • Nov. 27, 2025

New Englanders threw Andros into jail, sent him back to England and had the pleasure of proclaiming days of thanksgiving for the ascension of William and Mary.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 25, 2025

Andros immediately sought to annul the move on grounds that only he had the authority to name a thanksgiving day.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 25, 2025

After Buchi was born, he had agreed to a thanksgiving service at Kosi’s church, a crowded hall full of lavishly dressed people, people who were Kosis friends, Kosis kind.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie