# banquet

/ˈbæŋkwət/ (US) · /bˈæŋkwɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/banquet
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. formal celebratory meal

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

a large, formal dinner for many people, often held to celebrate something or someone.

For teachers: a ceremonial dinner party for a large group of people, often featuring speeches and formal dress.

- The city held a grand banquet to honour the returning Olympic athletes.
- The annual charity banquet was held in the hotel's main ballroom, where hundreds of donors gathered to hear the keynote address.

### 2. to feast

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

to eat a very large and fancy meal.

For teachers: to participate in a banquet or to feast sumptuously.

- The guests banqueted on fine wine and roasted meats until late at night.
- In the ancient hall, the victorious knights banqueted for three days, celebrating their hard-won peace with endless music and food.

Usage: often used intransitively to describe the act of eating grandly

### 3. dessert course

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

a course of sweet food or fruit served at the end of a meal.

For teachers: a course of sweetmeats or fruit served as dessert.

- After the main dishes were cleared, the servants brought out a banquet of dried fruits.
- The historical records describe a lavish banquet of sugared almonds and preserved ginger served in the garden gallery after the primary feast.

Teaching tip: This sense is found in historical texts and Shakespearean literature; modern speakers only use 'banquet' for the entire meal.

## Examples

- The king held a grand banquet for his guests.
- After the awards ceremony, the winners and their families attended a formal banquet in the hotel ballroom.
- The annual charity banquet serves as both a celebration of the year's achievements and a critical fundraising opportunity, drawing hundreds of influential donors to the city's historic hall.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.