Mardi Gras

noun

Mar·​di Gras ˈmär-dē-ˌgrä How to pronounce Mardi Gras (audio)
 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
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.
The flag-boy battle speaks to a centuries-old story of Black resistance that’s still embodied by the Mardi Gras Indians of New Orleans. Harriet Shepherd, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2025 The storm has already unloaded heavy winds, rain and snow across much of the country, killing two people in Mississippi, knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of customers and forcing officials to reschedule Mardi Gras events in New Orleans. Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025 On Tuesday afternoon, the severe thunderstorms reach Jackson, Mississippi, and New Orleans as Mardi Gras celebrations culminate in a final day of festivities on Fat Tuesday. Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 4 Mar. 2025 Here’s a recipe for Mardi Gras king cake with cream cheese and apple fillings. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Mardi Gras

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, fat Tuesday

First Known Use

1699, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of Mardi Gras was in 1699

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Cite this Entry

“Mardi Gras.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Mardi%20Gras. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

Mardi Gras

noun
Mar·​di Gras ˈmärd-ē-ˌgrä How to pronounce Mardi Gras (audio)
: 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.

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