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 of festival

Noun

• celebration
• festivity
• fiesta

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

Pre-festival enthusiasm sagged compared to the inaugural year. —Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 8 Jan. 2026

The festival-style event will showcase innovation, creativity, and the San Diego Jewish Academy experience. —Ut Community Press, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026

Noun

The park behind the festival may or may not be open for ice climbing, and there will be no on-ice clinics. —Spencer Wilson, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026

The film will premiere in the Harbour program of the festival. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 15 Jan. 2026

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