thanksgiving

thanks +‎ giving

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thanksgiving (countable and uncountable, plural thanksgivings)

1. an expression of gratitude.
   • 1918, Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Land That Time Forgot Chapter IV

     The waters grew suddenly lighter, and my spirits rose accordingly. I shouted down to those below that I saw daylight ahead, and a great shout of thanksgiving reverberated through the ship. A moment later we emerged into sunlit water, and immediately I raised the periscope and looked about me upon the strangest landscape I had ever seen.

2. a short prayer said at meals; grace, a benediction.
3. A public celebration in acknowledgement of divine favour.
   • 1907, Harold Bindloss, chapter 20, in The Dust of Conflict‎:

     Hester Earle and Violet Wayne were moving about the aisle with bundles of wheat-ears and streamers of ivy, for the harvest thanksgiving was shortly to be celebrated, while the vicar stood waiting for their directions on the chancel steps with a great handful of crimson gladioli.