banquet

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noun ban·quet \ ˈbaŋ-kwət , ˈban- also -ˌkwet \

Definition of banquet

1 :a sumptuous feast; especially :an elaborate and often ceremonious meal for numerous people often in honor of a person

a state banquet

2 :a meal held in recognition of some occasion or achievement

an awards banquet

See banquet defined for English-language learners

See banquet defined for kids

Examples of banquet in a Sentence

They held a banquet in his honor.
prepared a celebratory banquet for the graduating class

Recent Examples of banquet from the Web

Also proposed were extensive educational, conservation and research elements; an Ohio River exhibit; a grand lobby; a 150-seat banquet hall; a retail store; a replica of an ocean-going vessel; and a penguin exhibit; and a shark tank.

— sheldon s. shafer, The Courier-Journal, "Scrapped plans for Louisville aquarium resurface in Southern Indiana county," 26 Aug. 2017
According to a July 18 New York Times story, the second meeting occurred at a banquet attended by the representatives from each of the nations present at the summit.

— emma sarran webster, Teen Vogue, "Donald Trump and Russia: The Timeline," 14 Aug. 2017
WASHINGTON — Hours into a dinner with world leaders who had gathered for the Group of 20 summit meeting, President Trump left his chair at the sprawling banquet table and headed to where President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia was seated.

— julie hirschfeld davis, New York Times, "Trump and Putin Held a Second, Undisclosed, Private Conversation," 18 July 2017
The banquet for this season's winner will be held March 8 at the Galt House.

— jeff greer, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville football's Jaire Alexander on 46-player Paul Hornung Award watch list," 17 July 2017
Bolden was in Huntsville Friday to give the keynote address at the annual Space Camp Hall of Fame induction banquet at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.

— lee roop, AL.com, "Charles Bolden 'blunt' about Trump and space, says president 'talks a lot'," 17 July 2017
A banquet room has seating for 80 and coming soon, according to the owners, will be a smaller private room for 20 to 30 patrons.

— bob bong, Daily Southtown, "Highlander House serves up homemade Polish cuisine," 11 July 2017
The Felicity-Franklin FFA hosted its 61st annual banquet and silent auction.

— Cincinnati.com, "Felicity FFA holds 61st annual banquet," 5 July 2017
In the cooling evening air, Charleston, South Carolina's notable citizens filed into Hibernian Hall on Meeting Street for the traditional banquet to close their Fourth of July festivities.

— paul starobin, Smithsonian, "What Did Independence Day Mean to Southerners About to Secede?," 4 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'banquet.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of banquet

Middle French, from Old Italian banchetto, from diminutive of banca bench, bank

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

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banquet Synonyms

Synonyms

feast, dinner, feed, regale, spread

Related Words

chow, mess, repast, table; blowout, carnival, festival, fete (or fête), gala, party, shindig; festivity; barbecue, clambake, cookout, fry, luau, roast; buffet, luncheon, smorgasbord

banquet

verb

Definition of banquet

intransitive verb

:to partake of a banquet

The night before, after a typical 12-hour workday, the president banqueted until nearly midnight …
—Spike Mafford

transitive verb

:to treat with a banquet :feast

They will be banqueting visiting dignitaries.

—

banqueter

noun

Examples of banquet in a Sentence

banqueted the returning troops at the military base

Origin and Etymology of banquet

see ¹banquet

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1500

See Words from the same year

banquet Synonyms

Synonyms

feast, dine, junket, regale

Related Words

board, cater, feed, provision; fete (or fête), honor, recognize

BANQUET Defined for English Language Learners

banquet

play

noun

Definition of banquet for English Language Learners

: a formal dinner for many people usually to celebrate a special event

BANQUET Defined for Kids

banquet

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noun ban·quet \ ˈbaŋ-kwət \

Definition of banquet for Students

:a formal dinner for many people usually to celebrate a special event

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banquet

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