Mardi Gras

noun

Mar·​di Gras ˈmär-dē-ˌgrä 

in New Orleans commonly -ˌgrȯ

1

a

: Shrove Tuesday often observed (as in New Orleans) with parades and festivities

b

: a carnival period climaxing on Shrove Tuesday

2

: a festive occasion resembling a pre-Lenten Mardi Gras

Examples of Mardi Gras in a Sentence

We're going to New Orleans for Mardi Gras.

It was a Mardi Gras to remember!

Recent Examples on the Web

Louisiana is home to Mardi Gras, cajun cooking, and Republicans’ most awkward Senate race. —Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 24 Apr. 2026

The chapters include wheelbarrow nachos, served in a wheelbarrow, double cheeseburger, butter chicken, Korean BBQ, gnocchi ( in honor of his Italian grandmother), Mardi Gras, seafood, pierogi, mac and cheese, pizza nachos. —Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026

Leave time to check out the Mardi Gras Museum inside the courthouse, which includes more than 800 pieces of Carnival flair, from costumes and goblets to throws and dresses. —Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2026

Just last month, LaBeouf was arrested in New Orleans after getting into a fight at Mardi Gras. —Zack Sharf, Variety, 16 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, fat Tuesday

First Known Use

1699, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for Mardi Gras

• candlemas
• fiberglass
• fibreglass
• hourglass
• isinglass
• lemongrass
• martinmas
• orchardgrass
• overpass
• plexiglas
• plexiglass
• sassafras

Kids Definition

Mardi Gras

noun

Mar·​di Gras ˈmärd-ē-ˌgrä 

: the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday often observed with parades and merrymaking

Etymology

French, literally "fat Tuesday"

Word Origin

The Christian period of fasting known as Lent begins every year on Ash Wednesday. The day before Lent begins is a time of celebration and feasting in many places. One of the original reasons for such feasting was probably to use up the last supplies of foods, such as meat and fat, which were not eaten during Lent. The eating of such foods may be why the day became known in France as Mardi Gras, which means "fat Tuesday." It is also possible that the name comes from a former custom of parading a fattened ox through Paris on this day.