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fairground

American  
[fair-ground] / ˈfɛərˌgraʊnd /

noun

  1. Often fairgrounds. a place where fairs, horse races, etc., are held; in the U.S. usually an area set aside by a city, county, or state for an annual fair and often containing exhibition buildings.


fairground British  
/ ˈfɛəˌɡraʊnd /

noun

  1. an open space used for a fair or exhibition

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of fairground

First recorded in 1735–45; fair 2 + ground 1

Explanation

A fairground is an open outdoor area where a fair, circus, or some other exhibition sets up temporarily. Many county fairs are put on at the same fairground for a week or two each summer. Many funnel cakes are eaten there. Most fairgrounds have space for rides like Ferris wheels and bumper cars. Agricultural fairs might also have exhibit areas where visitors can see animals, handmade items, baked goods, giant watermelons, and other impressive produce. A traveling circus or carnival might also set up on fairground. The central section of a fairground is usually called a "midway."

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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.

Fairground bosses said it was a "tragic accident".

From BBC • Aug. 24, 2025

The country’s roughly 2,500 markets attract over 50 million visitors a year, according to the Federal Association of Fairground Showmen and Market Traders.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2015

Which is precisely why I was set on ‘family fun novelty mode’ when sold to the Wonderville Traveling Fairground.

From New York Times • Nov. 10, 2015

About 1,000 Valley fire evacuees found refugee Monday night at the Napa County Fairground, where the Red Cross erected a tent city.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 14, 2015

At the close of the Tide week, the company went to Idle, and I went with them; and thence to the Bradford Fairground.

From Adventures and Recollections by Bill o'th' Hoylus End

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