noun
Common
Thanksgiving
thangks-GIH-vihng
Thanksgiving (noun) means a North American holiday for giving thanks, marked with a family feast — the fourth Thursday of November in the US, the second Monday of October in Canada. Example: “We always have turkey for Thanksgiving.”
noun
1
A North American holiday for giving thanks, marked with a family feast — the fourth Thursday of November in the US, the second Monday of October in Canada.
"We always have turkey for Thanksgiving."
"Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest travel times of the year."
2
An expression of gratitude, or a short prayer of thanks said before a meal.
"He offered a quiet thanksgiving before eating."
How to use Thanksgiving
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsually refers to the American/Canadian holiday, but can also mean any expression of gratitude.
Common pairings
Thanksgiving dinner
Thanksgiving Day
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Word forms
- Plural
- Thanksgivings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We always have turkey for _____.
Etymology
Formed from thanks + giving — literally the act of giving thanks.
Related words
Rhymes for Thanksgiving
living
giving
diving
driving
striving
thriving
reviving
reliving
receiving
surviving
deceiving
forgiving
See all rhymes for Thanksgiving →
Frequently asked questions
What does “Thanksgiving” mean?
The word “Thanksgiving” means a North American holiday for giving thanks, marked with a family feast — the fourth Thursday of November in the US, the second Monday of October in Canada. In plain terms, usually refers to the American/Canadian holiday, but can also mean any expression of gratitude.
How do you pronounce “Thanksgiving”?
“Thanksgiving” is pronounced thangks-GIH-vihng (/θæŋksˈɡɪvɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “Thanksgiving” in a sentence?
Here is “Thanksgiving” used in a sentence: “We always have turkey for Thanksgiving.”
What part of speech is “Thanksgiving”?
“Thanksgiving” is a noun.
Is “Thanksgiving” a common word?
“Thanksgiving” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Thanksgiving” have?
“Thanksgiving” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a North American holiday for giving thanks, marked with a family feast — the fourth Thursday of November in the US, the second Monday of October in Canada.
When is Thanksgiving in the US and Canada?
In the United States, Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November. In Canada it comes earlier, on the second Monday of October. Both holidays center on a family feast and the giving of thanks.
Should Thanksgiving be capitalized?
Capitalize Thanksgiving when it names the North American holiday: "We're hosting Thanksgiving this year." Lowercase thanksgiving is a common noun meaning an expression of gratitude or a short prayer of thanks, as in "a service of thanksgiving."
What is the difference between thanksgiving and gratitude?
Gratitude is the feeling of being thankful, while thanksgiving is the act of expressing that feeling, often formally in a prayer or ceremony. When capitalized, Thanksgiving also names the North American holiday devoted to giving thanks.
Is it "Happy Thanksgiving" or "Happy Thanksgiving Day"?
"Happy Thanksgiving" is the standard greeting in both the United States and Canada. "Thanksgiving Day" is the holiday's fuller, more formal name — the kind that appears on calendars and in official proclamations — but in conversation people almost always shorten it to Thanksgiving.
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