eisteddfod

American  

[ahy-steth-vod, ey-steth-] / aɪˈstɛð vɒd, eɪˈstɛð- /

noun

plural

eisteddfods, eisteddfodau

1. (in Wales) an annual festival, with competitions among poets and musicians.

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eisteddfod British  

/ aɪˈstɛðvɔd, aɪˈstɛdfəd /

noun

1. any of a number of annual festivals in Wales, esp the Royal National Eisteddfod, in which competitions are held in music, poetry, drama, and the fine arts

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Other Word Forms

• eisteddfodic adjective

Etymology

Origin of eisteddfod

1815–25; < Welsh: literally, session, equivalent to eistedd sitting + fod, variant (by lenition) of bod being

Example Sentences

She said the upcoming eisteddfod performance meant she was learning "a bit more welsh", and even learning the language on her phone.

From BBC • Aug. 3, 2023

Chief executive Betsan Moses said they would spend the autumn considering plans for the next eisteddfod.

From BBC • Aug. 1, 2021

The musical reply came from the mighty Treorchy Male Choir, the winners of that year’s eisteddfod, and a group that traces its history back to 1883.

From The Guardian • Jul. 2, 2017

In the same month there will also be a special annual eisteddfod in Trelew, Argentina.

From BBC • Jul. 28, 2015

Hence the Nonconformist Sunday school, the pulpit and the eisteddfod may be regarded as the most potent factors in resisting the inroads of English.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 5 "Cat" to "Celt" by Various