festival

[ fes-tuh-vuhl ]

noun

1. a day or time of religious or other celebration, marked by feasting, ceremonies, or other observances:

   the festival of Christmas; a Roman festival.

2. a periodic commemoration, anniversary, or celebration:

   an annual strawberry festival.

3. a period or program of festive activities, cultural events, or entertainment:

   a music festival.

4. gaiety; revelry; merrymaking.

adjective

1. festal:

   a festival atmosphere of unrestrained joy.

festival

/ ˈfɛstɪvəl /

noun

1. a day or period set aside for celebration or feasting, esp one of religious significance
2. any occasion for celebration, esp one which commemorates an anniversary or other significant event
3. an organized series of special events and performances, usually in one place

   a festival of drama

4. archaic.
   a time of revelry; merrymaking
5. modifier relating to or characteristic of a festival

Other Words From

• pre·festi·val noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of festival¹

1300–50; Middle English < Medieval Latin fēstivālis ( diēs ) holy (day). See festive, -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of festival¹

C14: from Church Latin fēstivālis of a feast, from Latin festīvus festive

Example Sentences

Another Goldenvoice festival, the country-music-oriented Stagecoach, was also delayed.

From Vox

While 2020 has been a veritable festival for the financing vehicle, with over $32 billion raised so far, some venture capitalists that Term Sheet has spoken to have voiced doubts about the structure.

From Fortune

Now the restaurant is in limbo as the town decides whether or not to cancel this year’s pumpkin festival.

From Eater

Held every June, Columbus Pride is a three-day event that includes a parade, festival, and Pride brunch.

From No Straight News

The festival awards a Golden Bear for the best film and a series of Silver Bears, which until this year included best actor and best actress honors.

From Fortune

The ancient Egyptian festival of Wepet Renpet (“opening of the year”) was not just a time of rebirth—it was dedicated to drinking.

From The Daily Beast

The only repercussions Iraqi has faced are outside of Egypt, as she lost her place in an upcoming Swiss Film Festival, he added.

From The Daily Beast

Check out a clip from this exclusive interview with SCAD President and Founder Paula Wallace at the 2014 Savannah Film Festival.

From The Daily Beast

Like Edgar, he remembers a unique time when American rappers came down and performed at the Primer Festival de Rap Cubano.

From The Daily Beast

A big cake requires a big festival, and Augustus was happy to comply.

From The Daily Beast

Signer Costa was at the Festival in 1829, and he afterwards appeared on the stage at the Royal.

From Project Gutenberg

On the 2nd of November I saw a festival of another description—namely, a religious one.

From Project Gutenberg

Musical festival in Westminster abbey, in commemoration of the birthday of Handel.

From Project Gutenberg

The repetition of her festival may possibly point to separate celebrations of the communities of Palatine and Quirinal.

From Project Gutenberg

Of the Feralia of February 21, the culmination of the festival of the kindred dead (Parentalia), we have already spoken.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• anniversary
• commemoration
• competition
• fair
• feast
• gala
• holiday