festival

American  

[fes-tuh-vuhl] / ˈfɛs tə vəl /

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.

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adjective

1. festal.

   a festival atmosphere of unrestrained joy.

festival British  

/ 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

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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

Cuba on Saturday announced the cancellation of its iconic cigar festival, amid a major energy crisis sparked by US pressure on the cash-strapped island.

From Barron's

With international tourism to the island nation limited by the US embargo, the festival's organisers said they hoped to wait until conditions had improved.

From BBC

Dairymen from the Netherlands and from the Portuguese Azores staged dairy festivals and competitions, and went to culturally based schools and churches.

From Los Angeles Times

"It's a really great place to have a comedy festival. You get a lot of very interesting shows here," he said.

From BBC

They are getting to know each other online and at large events including Riyadh Season, an annual entertainment festival.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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