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

Carnival in Louisiana: Celebrating Mardi Gras from The French Quarter to the Red River by Brian J. Costello Carnival in Louisiana provides an expansive look inside the many cultures and traditions associated with Mardi Gras across Louisiana. —Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 10 July 2024

Some come to New Orleans, Louisiana’s largest city, to bask in its party culture (it’s known for hosting an epic Mardi Gras, after all). —Hannah Selinger, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2024

Tour the exhibits here to observe the intricacy of Mardi Gras costumes up close, and tons of other splendid regalia that has been collected over a period of decades. —Jaha Nailah Avery, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 June 2024

Cultural and historic references abound, from the presence of multiple styles of unique cultural music such as Zydeco, Rara and Afro-Cuban jazz to the culinary influences of Leah Chase to the historical diversity of Mardi Gras. —Bethanee Bemis, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, fat Tuesday

First Known Use

1699, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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.