feast

1 of 2

noun

ˈfēst 

1

a

: an elaborate and usually abundant meal often accompanied by a ceremony or entertainment : banquet

b(1)

: something that gives unusual or abundant enjoyment

a visual feast

(2)

: abundance, profusion

an unprecedented feast of corruption, gargantuan in scale

—Neil Sheehan

2

: a periodic religious observance commemorating an event or honoring a deity, person, or thing

feast

2 of 2

verb

feasted; feasting; feasts

intransitive verb

1

: to take part in a feast

2

: to enjoy some unusual pleasure or delight

transitive verb

1

: to give a feast for

2

: delight, gratify

feasting our eyes on the scenery

feaster noun

Synonyms

Noun

• dinner
• banquet

Verb

• regale
• banquet
• honor
• feed
• dine

Examples of feast in a Sentence

Noun

give the annual Thanksgiving feast

Every guest brought a different dish to the party, and we had quite a feast.

There were hundreds of guests at the royal wedding feast.

the feast of the Nativity

Verb

the returning war heroes were feasted all over the country

feast your eyes on all the fresh flowers at the farmers' market

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The set comes with six bowls that hold up to 30 ounces each, plenty of room for a sprawling feast of meat, potatoes, and all the fixings. —Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025

With the Eagles’ offensive line not as formidable as last season, Barkley was back to his feast or famine style. —Dan Duggan, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025

Verb

Many insects spend the winter hibernating in hollow stems, while birds feast on seeds from coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, zinnias, cosmos, and more. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 Oct. 2025

Jacksonville is feasting on an unsustainable amount of defensive takeaways. —Greg Cote october 9, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English feste, from Anglo-French, from Latin festa, plural of festum festival, from neuter of festus solemn, festal; akin to Latin feriae holidays, fanum temple

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing feast

• a feast for the eyes
• feast one's eyes on
• love feast
• movable feast

Rhymes for feast

• beast
• ceased
• creased
• east
• fleeced
• geest
• greased
• leased
• least
• pieced
• priest
• yeast

Kids Definition

feast

1 of 2 noun

ˈfēst 

1

: a meal with plenty of food and drink : banquet

2

: a religious festival or observance

feast

2 of 2 verb

1

: to eat plentifully : take part in a feast

2

: to entertain with a feast

3

: delight entry 2 sense 2

feast your eyes on the view

feaster noun

Etymology

Noun

Middle English feste "feast, festival," from early French feste (same meaning), from Latin festa, plural of festum "festival, feast" — related to festival, fiesta