A feast is a large, special meal with an abundance of food, usually shared with many people to celebrate something important. When families gather for Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, stuffing, pies, and a dozen side dishes covering the table, that's a feast. Medieval kings held feasts in their great halls to honor victories or welcome important guests, with servants bringing course after course of roasted meats, breads, and sweets.

A feast combines plentiful food with celebration and community. The meal brings people together in a spirit of joy and festivity. Birthday parties, weddings, and holidays often include feasts. In many cultures throughout history, preparing a feast was how communities marked their most significant moments: harvests, religious festivals, or the return of loved ones.

You can also use feast as a verb meaning to eat enthusiastically and joyfully, especially in large amounts. After a long hike, hungry campers might feast on hot dogs and s'mores around the campfire.

The word appears in common expressions too. When you have so many good options that you don't know what to choose, you might call it a feast of choices. Something visually stunning, like a museum full of beautiful paintings, can be described as a feast for the eyes.