junket

[juhng-kit]

noun

1. a sweet, custardlike food of flavored milk curdled with rennet.

2. a pleasure excursion, as a picnic or outing.

3. a trip, as by an official or legislative committee, paid out of public funds and ostensibly to obtain information.

verb (used without object)

1. to go on a junket.

verb (used with object)

1. to entertain; feast; regale.

junket

/ ˈdʒʌŋkɪt /

noun

1. an excursion, esp one made for pleasure at public expense by a public official or committee

2. a sweet dessert made of flavoured milk set to a curd with rennet

3. a feast or festive occasion

verb

1. (intr) (of a public official, committee, etc) to go on a junket

2. to have or entertain with a feast or festive gathering

Other Word Forms

• junketer noun
• junketing noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of junket¹

1350–1400; Middle English jonket < Old French (dial.) jonquette rush basket, equivalent to jonc (< Latin juncus reed) + -ette -ette

Word History and Origins

Origin of junket¹

C14 (in the sense: rush basket, hence custard served on rushes): from Old French (dialect) jonquette, from jonc rush, from Latin juncus reed

Example Sentences

Allen would score interviews with major stars at press junkets and cut them into a weekly half-hour program.

From Los Angeles Times

A 10-minute-or-less junket slot isn’t much time, but it’s certainly not nothing.

From Salon

Mihalka envisions the space being used for events for partners, sponsors and advertisers as well as press junkets for new product launches.

From Los Angeles Times

On a travel junket that inspired his first book, “Innocents Abroad,” Twain saw a portrait of his future wife, Olivia “Livy” Langdon.

From Los Angeles Times

However, the cast are taking part in a few select sit-down interviews with some outlets as part of a press junket which is taking place this week.

From BBC

Related Words

• excursion