feast

1 of 2

noun

ˈfēst 

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 scale

—Neil 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

Synonyms

Noun

• banquet
• dinner
• feed
• regale
• spread

Verb

• banquet
• dine
• junket
• regale

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

Noun

Accompanied by a Loaded Baked Potato and preceded by Thai Lobster Bisque, the whole meal was a feast for the senses. —Lois Alter Mark, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

Since the pandemic, though, Turkey Day has been all famine and no feast at the box office. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 1 Dec. 2024

Verb

Unlike most killer whales that swim the world’s oceans, Southern Resident orcas stick together, gathering annually in Puget Sound to feast on salmon during the summer and fall. —Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 7 Dec. 2024

Black chefs and restauranteurs eagerly invite you to their establishments to sit down and feast or grab food to go. —Essence, 6 Dec. 2024

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

Phrases Containing feast

• a feast for the eyes
• feast one's eyes on
• love feast
• movable feast

Kids Definition

feast

1 of 2 noun

ˈfēst 

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