banquet

[ bang-kwit ]

noun

1. a lavish meal; feast.
2. a ceremonious public dinner, especially one honoring a person, benefiting a charity, etc.

verb (used with object)

, ban·quet·ed, ban·quet·ing.

1. to entertain or regale with a banquet:

   They banqueted the visiting prime minister in grand style.

verb (used without object)

, ban·quet·ed, ban·quet·ing.

1. to have or attend a banquet; feast:

   They banqueted on pheasant, wild boar, and three kinds of fish.

banquet

/ ˈbæŋkwɪt /

noun

1. a lavish and sumptuous meal; feast
2. a ceremonial meal for many people, often followed by speeches

verb

1. intr to hold or take part in a banquet
2. tr to entertain or honour (a person) with a banquet

Derived Forms

• ˈbanqueter, noun

Other Words From

• banquet·er ban·que·teer [bang-kwi-, teer], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of banquet¹

First recorded in 1450–1500; from Middle French, from Italian banchetto ( banc(o) “table” ( bank ² ) + -etto -et ); replacing late Middle English bankat, banket(te), from Middle French

Word History and Origins

Origin of banquet¹

C15: from Old French, from Italian banchetto , from banco a table, of Germanic origin; see bank ¹

Synonym Study

See feast.

Example Sentences

Soon she’ll star in a reimagining of the 1993 Ang Lee rom-com “The Wedding Banquet,” and, alongside Michelle Pfeiffer, in Michael Showalter’s Christmas comedy “Oh. What. Fun.”

From Los Angeles Times

The two refurbished a banquet hall next door that’s now booked most of the year.

From Los Angeles Times

“That show was an incalculable gift. The material a banquet. So I miss that. But Kendall’s struggle was difficult to carry for seven years. And there’s just so much more I want to do,” said Strong, who has also let go of the idea of a Kendall spinoff.

From Los Angeles Times

In a sign of his determination to win, Chapo has travelled to next-door neighbour South Africa to raise funds for his campaign, hosting a banquet in an upmarket suburb of Johannesburg.

From BBC

The 20-20 club would need a banquet hall to hold a meeting, but young Angels shortstop Zach Neto, 23, is on an upward trajectory with 23 homers and 30 stolen bases in his first full big-league season.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• feast
• festivity
• meal
• reception