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
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
Carnival and Mardi Gras, with its related Second Line performances, are stirring examples.
—Sharene Shariatzadeh, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2024
According to TripAdvisor, not only is New Orleans ranked the number one most popular U.S food destination, but the city is poised to be one of the most popular travel destination in 2025 thanks to major events including the Era’s Tour, the Super Bowl, Mardi Gras, and Jazz Fest on the horizon.
—Michelle Gross, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for Mardi Gras 
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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
Carnival and Mardi Gras, with its related Second Line performances, are stirring examples.
—Sharene Shariatzadeh, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2024
According to TripAdvisor, not only is New Orleans ranked the number one most popular U.S food destination, but the city is poised to be one of the most popular travel destination in 2025 thanks to major events including the Era’s Tour, the Super Bowl, Mardi Gras, and Jazz Fest on the horizon.
—Michelle Gross, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for Mardi Gras
Dictionary Entries Near Mardi Gras
Cite this Entry
“Mardi Gras.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Mardi%20Gras. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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.
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