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

For every White Stripes Icky Thump — a record that successfully builds on what made a band special in the first place and showcases something new — there’s a bland, deflated bookend like Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Mardi Gras. —Brady Gerber, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2024

Two additional ships sailing Caribbean itineraries, Carnival Freedom and Mardi Gras, are being closely monitored for potential changes, but no changes have been made at this time, the cruise line said in a weather update. —Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2024

The look featured purple, yellow and green — the colors of Mardi Gras. —Mikelle Street, WWD, 26 Oct. 2024

Six other books of fairy stories followed and inspired a Mardi Gras celebration in New Orleans, her hometown, based on the characters Harrison created. —Marianne Mather, Chicago Tribune, 24 Oct. 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.