banquet

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

|Updated on: 11 Jun 2018

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

The church will hold its centennial celebratory banquet at 6 p.m. June 16 at Marquette Park.

— staff report, Post-Tribune, "Church news," 7 June 2018
The Portland Interscholastic League held its annual banquet Sunday night to honor athletes and coaches from the 2017-18 school year.

— OregonLive.com, "Portland Interscholastic League names 2017-18 league, school athletes and coaches of the year," 21 May 2018
Along with meeting dignitaries and learning about Greek culture, the couple attended a banquet on Wednesday in Athens hosted by President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and his wife Vlassia.

— michelle manetti, Good Housekeeping, "Camilla Parker Bowles Is the Definition of Elegance in This Gown," 11 May 2018
The California Coaches Association will hold its annual awards banquet in San Diego next month, and the agenda is loaded with honorees from the county.

— john maffei, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Local high school coaches in state Hall of Fame," 2 May 2018
Alabama will hold its basketball banquet Monday night in Tuscaloosa.

— michael casagrande, AL.com, "Alabama senior granted 5th year by NCAA, will return next year," 30 Apr. 2018
Guidance sent to the press by Pence's office initially said the vice president would attend a Friday banquet hosted by Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski.

— Fox News, "Pence's office confuses Peru's president ahead of summit," 13 Apr. 2018
The organizers of such events say AR-style rifles aren’t commonly offered as prizes at their banquets.

— ryan sabalow, sacbee, "Why California lawmaker wants to restrict charity gun raffles | The Sacramento Bee," 10 Apr. 2018
Since the 1980s, its awards banquet has honored the best climate-appropriate designs each year.

— leslie nemo, Curbed, "In Santa Barbara, severe drought is forcing residents to rethink landscape tradition," 30 Mar. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

banquet Synonyms

Synonyms

dinner, feast, feed, spread;

Related Words

chow, mess, repast, table;

blowout, carnival, festival, fete (or fête), gala, party, shindig;

festivity;

barbecue (also barbeque), clambake, cookout, fry, luau, roast;

buffet, luncheon, smorgasbord;

banquet

verb

Definition of banquet

banqueted; banqueting; banquets

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

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

See Words from the same year

banquet Synonyms

Synonyms

dine, feast, junket, regale;

Related Words

board, cater, feed, provision;

fete (or fête), honor, recognize;

BANQUET Defined for English Language Learners

banquet

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

noun ban·quet \ ˈbaŋ-kwət \

Definition of banquet for Students

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

Learn More about banquet

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for banquet Spanish Central: Translation of banquet Nglish: Translation of banquet for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of banquet for Arabic speakers

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banquet

Definition of banquet

Examples of banquet in a Sentence

Recent Examples of banquet from the Web

Origin and Etymology of banquet

banquet Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

banquet

Definition of banquet

banqueter

Examples of banquet in a Sentence

Origin and Etymology of banquet

banquet Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

BANQUET Defined for English Language Learners

banquet

Definition of banquet for English Language Learners

BANQUET Defined for Kids

banquet

Definition of banquet for Students

Learn More about banquet

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