bacchanalia

noun

bac·​cha·​na·​lia ˌba-kə-ˈnāl-yə 

ˌbä-

plural bacchanalia

1

Bacchanalia plural : a Roman festival of Bacchus celebrated with dancing, song, and revelry

2

a

: orgy sense 2

b

: orgy sense 3

bacchanalian

ˌba-kə-ˈnāl-yən 

ˌbä-

adjective or noun

Examples of bacchanalia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

New Orleans has never shied away from bacchanalia, and what better complements that festive spirit than a good drink? — Kristin Braswell, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Sep. 2026

The tradition actually dates back to the ancient bacchanalia that celebrated the fall harvest and the wine god, Bacchus. — Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 21 Aug. 2026

More than 350 authors will gather on 21 stages for a three-day bacchanalia of literature, which in the past has drawn more than 25,000 people to downtown Berkeley. — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 28 May 2026

Mini bars burst with silk eye covers, collagen masks, melatonin sprays and ear plugs, suggesting the bacchanalia Estelle encourages. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Bacchus

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bacchanalia

• marginalia
• saturnalia
• terminalia
• azalea
• mammalia
• regalia
• vidalia
• paraphernalia
• thalia