thesis statement

[ thee-sis steyt-muhnt ]

noun

1. a short statement, usually one sentence, that summarizes the main point or claim of an essay, research paper, etc., and is developed, supported, and explained in the text by means of examples and evidence.

Word History and Origins

Origin of thesis statement¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Telling the internet that Franz Kafka is your boyfriend — that is a thesis statement.

From New York Times

No. It’s funny, I think that got me into trouble with “A Great Wilderness” a decade ago: I’m not interested in a thesis statement.

From Seattle Times

There’s no thesis statement in “King Lear,” you know what I mean?

From Seattle Times

But because there wasn’t that singular thesis statement, it really set people off.

From Seattle Times

Thus came the thesis statement of Lavoe’s sardonically titled comeback album “Comedia”: the dark, confessional salsa piece “El Cantante,” in which Lavoe lamented the psychological cost of pop stardom.

From Los Angeles Times