Carnival

Origin

From French carnaval, from Italian carnevale, from the Latin phrase carnem levāre, to put away meat

Full definition of carnival

Noun

1. A festive occasion marked by parades and sometimes special foods and other entertainment.
• 2013-06-07, David Simpson, Fantasy of navigation, Like most human activities, ballooning has sponsored heroes and hucksters and a good deal in between. For every dedicated scientist patiently recording atmospheric pressure and wind speed while shivering at high altitudes, there is a carnival barker with a bevy of pretty girls willing to dangle from a basket or parachute down to earth.
2. We all got to ride the merry-go-round when the brought their carnival to town.
   When the carnival came to town, every one wanted some cotton candy.
3. (US English) a traveling amusement park, called a funfair in UK English.

Derived terms