thanksgiving

Everyday

1. Thanksgiving is a holiday in the USA (in late autumn) and in Canada (in mid autumn) when families eat a big meal, often turkey, and give thanks. tree →
2. Thanksgiving means saying or showing thanks, especially to God. tree →

In the lessons

In US and Canadian life: the Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie; parades and football. In history lessons: the story of the Pilgrims' harvest feast. In religious services: a service of thanksgiving. Phrases: Thanksgiving dinner, happy Thanksgiving, a prayer of thanksgiving.

Examples

• We eat turkey and pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving. tree →
• Our whole family meets for Thanksgiving dinner. tree →
• Happy Thanksgiving! tree →
• Canadian Thanksgiving comes earlier in the autumn than the American one. tree →
• The church held a service of thanksgiving after the harvest. tree →
• At Thanksgiving we each say what we are thankful for. tree →
• It was a psalm of praise and thanksgiving. tree →

Note

As the holiday it takes a capital T. It is one word. Thanksgiving is not a national holiday in the UK, Ireland, Australia or New Zealand. In maths problems: share a turkey or pie among guests.

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah it is a kind of peace-offering brought to thank God, eaten the same day. In the Psalms it also means songs and prayers of thanks offered with or in place of a sacrifice.

Interpretation. The thanksgiving offering came with leavened and unleavened bread; tradition remembers it today in the blessing said after surviving danger. Psalm 50 is read as teaching that sincere thanks matter most to God.

Examples

• With cakes of leavened bread he shall present his offering with the sacrifice of his peace-offerings for thanksgiving. (Torah LEV.7.13, JPS 1917) tree →
• And when ye sacrifice a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the LORD, ye shall sacrifice it that ye may be accepted. (Torah LEV.22.29, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace-offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten on the day of his offering; he shall not leave any of it until the morning. (Torah LEV.7.15, JPS 1917) tree →
• And let them offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with singing. (Writings PSA.107.22, JPS 1917) tree →
• Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving, sing praises upon the harp unto our God; (Writings PSA.147.7, JPS 1917) tree →
• Offer unto God the sacrifice of thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the Most High; (Writings PSA.50.14, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

As the holiday it takes a capital T. It is one word. Thanksgiving is not a national holiday in the UK, Ireland, Australia or New Zealand. In maths problems: share a turkey or pie among guests.