festival

1 of 2

adjective

fes·​ti·​val ˈfe-stə-vəl 

: of, relating to, appropriate to, or set apart as a festival

festival

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: a time of celebration marked by special observances

b

: feast sense 2

2

: an often periodic celebration or program of events or entertainment having a specified focus

a daffodil festival

a Greek festival

3

: gaiety, conviviality

Synonyms

Noun

• celebration
• festivity

Examples of festival in a Sentence

Noun

Each year, a festival was held to celebrate the harvest.

The town has a summer festival in the park.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

When the cast reassembled for a festival press conference, though, Lee seemed to be having second thoughts. —Gregg Kilday, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025

The film is currently in post and will make its festival debut in 2025. —Justin Kroll, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025

Noun

The fair also will feature two stages of music, an entertainment dome, mouthwatering festival food and plenty of cold beer. —Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 10 Sep. 2025

Between bites and sips, head to one of five festival stages for some great performances. —Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin festivus festive

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing festival

• mooncake festival
• moon festival

Kids Definition

festival

noun

fes·​ti·​val

ˈfes-tə-vəl

1

: a time of celebration in honor of a special occasion

2

: an often regularly occurring program of events or entertainment

festival adjective

Etymology

Noun

from earlier festival (adjective), derived from early French festival "festive," from Latin festivus "festive," from festum (noun) "festival, feast" — related to feast, fiesta