carnival Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a festival marked by merrymaking and processions
  2. noun a frenetic disorganized (and often comic) disturbance suggestive of a large public entertainment
    circus.
    • it was so funny it was a circus
    • the whole occasion had a carnival atmosphere
  3. noun a traveling show; having sideshows and rides and games of skill etc.
    funfair; fair.

WordNet

Car"ni*val noun
Etymology
It. carnevale, prob. for older carnelevale, prop., the putting away of meat; fr. L. caro, carnis, flesh _ levare to take away, lift up, fr. levis light.
Definitions
  1. A festival celebrated with merriment and revelry in Roman Gatholic countries during the week before Lent, esp. at Rome and Naples, during a few days (three to ten) before Lent, ending with Shrove Tuesday.
    The carnival at Venice is everywhere talked of. Addison.
  2. Any merrymaking, feasting, or masquerading, especially when overstepping the bounds of decorum; a time of riotous excess. Tennyson.
    He saw the lean dogs beneath the wall Hold o'er the dead their carnival Byron.

Webster 1913