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

Netflix's cameras were there to capture the moment with the OITNB, which came as part of a press tour for the company in conjunction with Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. —Maria Yagoda, Peoplemag, 10 May 2024

Travelers can also beat the scorching heat at one of the city’s many museums, including the New Orleans Museum of Art, The National World War II Museum, The Sazerac House, and the Mardi Gras Museum of Costumes & Culture. —Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2024

In Vermont, downtown Burlington had a Mardi Gras vibe yesterday,as people packed the pedestrian mall. —Maura Barrett, NBC News, 8 Apr. 2024

Nowadays, Moon Pies are tossed from floats during Mardi Gras. —Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 6 Apr. 2024

The attraction will culminate in a giant Mardi Gras musical celebration. —Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024

Major Events Universal Orlando puts on three major annual events each year: Universal Mardi Gras, Halloween Horror Nights, and Holidays at Universal Orlando. —Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 28 Mar. 2024

Residents unwind at its famed, raucous take on Mardi Gras and annual Elvis festival, and relish dirt-track and dragon boat racing. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2024

Kirkpatrick's comments come just weeks after New Orleans, considered one of America's top tourist and party cities, welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors for Mardi Gras. —Emma Colton, Fox News, 13 Mar. 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.