# feast

/ˈfist/ (US) · /fˈiːst/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/feast
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a large meal

noun · CEFR B1

a very large and special meal, usually for many people to celebrate an event.

For teachers: a large, elaborate meal, typically of a ceremonial nature and shared by many people.

- The wedding guests enjoyed a magnificent feast with music and dancing.
- The village prepared a communal feast to celebrate the harvest, featuring traditional dishes passed down through generations.

### 2. religious festival

noun · CEFR B2

a day or period of time when people celebrate a religious event.

For teachers: a day or period set aside for religious celebration or commemoration.

- Today is the feast of Saint Nicholas, and children receive small gifts.
- The liturgical calendar includes several major feasts that require specific observances and communal gatherings.

### 3. something delightful

noun · CEFR B2

something that gives you a lot of pleasure to look at or experience.

For teachers: something that provides great pleasure or satisfaction to the senses or the mind.

- The colorful art exhibition was a feast for the eyes.
- The orchestral performance was a sensory feast, blending complex harmonies with stunning visual projections.

### 4. to eat a lot

verb · CEFR B2

to eat a large amount of food, especially with great enjoyment.

For teachers: to partake in a large or elaborate meal; often used with 'on' or 'upon'.

- After the long hike, they feasted on pizza and cold drinks.
- The victorious team feasted late into the night, celebrating their championship win with an enormous banquet.

Usage: Often used as an intransitive verb followed by the preposition 'on'.

### 5. to look with delight

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary

to look at something beautiful or interesting for a long time with pleasure.

For teachers: to dwell upon something with aesthetic or intellectual delight.

- He stood at the top of the mountain and feasted his eyes on the view.
- The collectors feasted their eyes upon the rare manuscripts, marveling at the preserved ink and delicate parchment.

Usage: Commonly used in the idiom 'feast one's eyes on'.

## Examples

- The family prepared a massive feast for the wedding guests.
- After the harvest was finished, the entire village gathered for a traditional feast in the town square.
- The museum's new exhibition is a visual feast, showcasing vibrant textiles and intricate gold jewelry from across the ancient world.

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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.