Thursday

noun

Thurs·​day ˈthərz-(ˌ)dā  -dē 

: the fifth day of the week

Thursdays

ˈthərz-(ˌ)dāz  -dēz 

adverb

Examples of Thursday in a Sentence

He was late last Thursday.

We went on Thursday and returned on Saturday.

Recent Examples on the Web

On Thursday, a friend sent him supplies to build a DIY air purifier with box fan and HEPA filters, given many stores quickly sold out of air purifiers. —Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025

Historic programs Penn State and Notre Dame will square off Thursday night in the Orange Bowl with a berth in the national championship on the line. —NBC News, 10 Jan. 2025

Late Thursday, MusiCares launched the Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort, pledging $1 million. —Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 10 Jan. 2025

Backlash to the backlash emerged on Thursday, as many users pointed out that fire resources had been exhausted in the Palisades. —Matt Donnelly, Variety, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English thursdæg, from Old Norse thōrsdagr; akin to Old English thunresdæg Thursday, Old Norse Thōrr Thor, Old English thunor thunder — more at thunder entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing Thursday

• Holy Thursday
• Maundy Thursday

Kids Definition

Thursday

noun

Thurs·​day ˈthərz-dē 

: the fifth day of the week

Etymology

Old English thursdæg, from early Norse thōrsdagr, literally "day of Thor"

Word Origin

Among the many gods worshiped by the Germanic people who lived in northern Europe in ancient times was one whose name was Thor. Thor was the god of thunder, weather, and crops. In the early Norse language, the fifth day of the week was known as thōrsdagr, literally "day of Thor," in his honor. The Norse name came into Old English as thursdæg, which in time became the Modern English Thursday.