thousand

noun

thou·​sand ˈthau̇-zᵊn(d) How to pronounce thousand (audio)
plural thousands or thousand
1
: a number equal to 10 times 100 see Table of Numbers
2
: a very large number
thousands of ants
thousand adjective
thousandfold
ˈthau̇-zᵊn(d)-ˌfōld How to pronounce thousand (audio)
adjective or adverb
thousandth
ˈthau̇-zᵊn(t)th How to pronounce thousand (audio)
adjective or noun

Examples of thousand in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Tens of thousands of children across the two states have lost food assistance. — Cuyler Dunn, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026 As wildfire smoke plumes travel thousands of miles, sunlight and atmospheric chemistry bleach their color, strip away their campfire aroma and add them to the mix of urban smog. — Michael A. Robinson, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026 Changes that can diminish and dismantle Head Start during a worsening national childcare crisis are unconscionable and will harm hundreds and thousands of children and families. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026 His Hawaii holdings span thousands of acres, while his Lake Tahoe compound combines two adjoining lakefront estates. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for thousand

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English thūsend; akin to Old High German dūsunt thousand, Lithuanian tūkstantis, and probably to Sanskrit tavas strong, Latin tumēre to swell — more at thumb entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of thousand was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing thousand

Browse Nearby Words

Thoulet solution
thousand
thousandfold
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Thousand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/thousand. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

thousand

noun
thou·​sand ˈthau̇z-ᵊn(d) How to pronounce thousand (audio)
plural thousands or thousand
1
: a number equal to 10 times 100 see number
2
: a very large number
thousands of ants
thousand adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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