fourth Thursday in November in the United States; second Monday in October in Canada; commemorates a feast held in 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag
"Many families gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, which is observed on the fourth Thursday of November in the US or the second Monday in October in Canada."
An expression of gratitude.
"After receiving such generous help during their move, they offered a heartfelt thanksgiving to their new neighbors."
In plain English: Thanksgiving is a holiday where people gather to be grateful for good things and share a big meal together.
"The family gathered for dinner on Thanksgiving to celebrate the harvest together."
Thanksgiving Day, celebrated on the second Monday of October in Canada, and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States.
"While my family celebrates their traditional meal during American Thanksgiving, I will be traveling home to spend Canadian Thanksgiving with relatives who live just over the border."
The word thanksgiving evolved from a proper noun used to describe specific religious festivals rather than being formed simply by combining "thanks" and "giving." It entered English as a fixed term for days of gratitude before becoming the common noun we use today.