feast

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: an elaborate and usually abundant meal often accompanied by a ceremony or entertainment : banquet
b(1)
: something that gives unusual or abundant enjoyment
a visual feast
(2)
: abundance, profusion
an unprecedented feast of corruption, gargantuan in scaleNeil Sheehan
2
: a periodic religious observance commemorating an event or honoring a deity, person, or thing

feast

2 of 2

verb

feasted; feasting; feasts

intransitive verb

1
: to take part in a feast
2
: to enjoy some unusual pleasure or delight

transitive verb

1
: to give a feast for
2
: delight, gratify
feasting our eyes on the scenery
feaster noun

Examples of feast in a Sentence

Noun give the annual Thanksgiving feast Every guest brought a different dish to the party, and we had quite a feast. There were hundreds of guests at the royal wedding feast. the feast of the Nativity Verb the returning war heroes were feasted all over the country feast your eyes on all the fresh flowers at the farmers' market
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
All the ingredients are present for a bountiful Premier League lunchtime feast. Jack Bantock, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2025 At Volcano Grille in Las Vegas, this hearty hibachi meal features tender steak, premium salmon, juicy chicken breast and two shrimp appetizers, paired with a choice of grains, grilled rice, yakisoba noodles, or white rice, and sautéed hibachi vegetables for a perfectly balanced feast. Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025
Verb
The small flowers are visited by native bees and butterflies, while songbirds feast on the berries. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2025 Guests feasted on pizza, pasta, and gelato, and sipped on Aperol spritzes and Lambrusco from local winery Tomato Wheels, before leaving with a bottle of Rao's tomato sauce. Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 24 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for feast

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English feste, from Anglo-French, from Latin festa, plural of festum festival, from neuter of festus solemn, festal; akin to Latin feriae holidays, fanum temple

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of feast was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Feast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feast. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

feast

1 of 2 noun
1
: a meal with plenty of food and drink : banquet
2
: a religious festival or observance

feast

2 of 2 verb
1
: to eat plentifully : take part in a feast
2
: to entertain with a feast
3
: delight entry 2 sense 2
feast your eyes on the view
feaster noun
Etymology

Noun

Middle English feste "feast, festival," from early French feste (same meaning), from Latin festa, plural of festum "festival, feast" — related to festival, fiesta

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