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 The annual Gasparilla Pirate Fest takes place in late January and is a big draw for what’s essentially a massive alfresco party, but note hotel prices surge over this weekend and the crowds tend to be on the rowdier side (think Mardi Gras in miniature). Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 25 Feb. 2024 And channeling the festival’s wilder side, the Mardi Gras Museum includes a parade and interactive costume closet. Lanee Lee, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 Super Tuesday in 2008 also coincided with several other noteworthy events, including the New York Giants’ Super Bowl victory parade, Mardi Gras, and a tornado outbreak that killed 57 people and impacted voting in several states. USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2024 However, this year Strain said some Mardi Gras celebrations continued without chowing down on crawfish, which were scarce and unaffordable for many. Sara Cline, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2024 According to a release, gifts received helped gross more than $730,000 from partners such as New Orleans Saints/Pelicans, Entergy, Ochsner Health, Mardi Gras Productions, Four Seasons Hotel & Private Residences, Encore and WWL-TV (local CBS affiliate). Shelby Stewart, Essence, 5 Mar. 2024 Amid strained relations in the days leading to Mardi Gras, many objected to any involvement by NSW police in the event – and the Mardi Gras organizers initially withdrew their invitation for officers to march. Angus Watson, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024 For petal peepers like me, this was the Super Bowl, Christmas morning and Mardi Gras rolled into one long vibrant season. Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 24 Feb. 2024 The Alabama city celebrated America's first Mardi Gras in 1703. Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Mardi Gras.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

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 19 Mar. 2024.

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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