festival
Americannoun
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a day or time of religious or other celebration, marked by feasting, ceremonies, or other observances.
the festival of Christmas; a Roman festival.
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a periodic commemoration, anniversary, or celebration.
an annual strawberry festival.
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a period or program of festive activities, cultural events, or entertainment.
a music festival.
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gaiety; revelry; merrymaking.
adjective
noun
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a day or period set aside for celebration or feasting, esp one of religious significance
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any occasion for celebration, esp one which commemorates an anniversary or other significant event
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an organized series of special events and performances, usually in one place
a festival of drama
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archaic a time of revelry; merrymaking
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(modifier) relating to or characteristic of a festival
Other Word Forms
- prefestival noun
Etymology
Origin of festival
1300–50; Middle English < Medieval Latin fēstivālis ( diēs ) holy (day). See festive, -al 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The live communion of these four musicians especially befits Big Ears, a festival devoted to unconventional music and famous for its promise of spontaneity around each corner.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026
It moved to the far south end of the festival grounds in 2024 and it’s a considerably longer hike than its previous locations.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026
You’re captive at the festival and you can’t bring food in with you.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026
The festival set times are usually announced a few days before Weekend 1, and then the complaints about conflicts will ensue.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026
Word spread quickly around the stage: none of the bands was getting through the traffic, now at a dead stop as people abandoned their cars and walked the last few miles to the festival.
From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
