Definition of thanksgiving

The word "Thanksgiving" originates from the Middle English word "thankesgevyng," which combined the Old English words "thanc" (meaning "thank") and "gefyng" (meaning "giving"). This reflected the core concept of giving thanks for a specific blessing or event. The first recorded use of the term "Thanksgiving" in English dates back to the 14th century, signifying its long history in expressing gratitude. While the modern holiday's origins are tied to the 1621 feast of the Pilgrims and Wampanoag, the word itself predates the specific American tradition.