Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Components of Changes in AOCI (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		May 31, 2024	May 31, 2023	May 31, 2022
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Balance		$ 1,821,628	$ 1,613,962	$ 1,551,695
Income tax effect		(4,376)	(2,055)	14,601
Separation of Worthington Steel		(1,033,245)
Balance		891,012	1,821,628	1,613,962
Foreign Currency Translation
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Balance		(22,123)	(15,310)
OCI before reclassifications		1,987	(6,774)
Reclassification adjustments to income	[1],[2]	8,591
Income tax effect		2	(39)
Separation of Worthington Steel		10,874
Balance		(669)	(22,123)	(15,310)
Pension Liability Adjustment
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Balance		(1,730)	(6,244)
OCI before reclassifications		419	559
Reclassification adjustments to income	[1],[2]	9,184	5,356
Income tax effect		(2,330)	(1,401)
Separation of Worthington Steel		(5,984)
Balance		(441)	(1,730)	(6,244)
Cash Flow Hedges
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Balance		674	(1,296)
OCI before reclassifications		14,721	(22,873)
Reclassification adjustments to income	[1],[2]	(6,176)	25,458
Income tax effect		(2,048)	(615)
Separation of Worthington Steel		(5,607)
Balance		1,564	674	(1,296)
AOCI
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Balance		(23,179)	(22,850)	45,387
OCI before reclassifications		17,127	(29,088)
Reclassification adjustments to income	[1],[2]	11,599	30,814
Income tax effect		(4,376)	(2,055)
Separation of Worthington Steel		(717)
Balance		$ 454	$ (23,179)	$ (22,850)

[1] Cash flow hedges & net investment hedges – disclosed in “Note R – Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities.”

[2] Reflects the following pension liability adjustments: • The acceleration of deferred pension costs in AOCI related to separate pension lift-out transactions completed in February 2024 and August 2022, respectively, to transfer the pension benefit obligation under the Gerstenslager Plan to third-party insurance companies. Refer to “Note M - Employee Pension Plans.” • The settlement of certain participant balances within the pension plan maintained by WAVE during fiscal 2024.