'Carnival' definitions:

Definition of 'carnival'

From: WordNet
noun
A festival marked by merrymaking and processions
noun
A frenetic disorganized (and often comic) disturbance suggestive of a large public entertainment; "it was so funny it was a circus"; "the whole occasion had a carnival atmosphere" [syn: circus, carnival]
noun
A traveling show; having sideshows and rides and games of skill etc. [syn: carnival, fair, funfair]

Definition of 'Carnival'

From: GCIDE
  • Carnival \Car"ni*val\, n. [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.]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • The carnival at Venice is everywhere talked of. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Any merrymaking, feasting, or masquerading, especially when overstepping the bounds of decorum; a time of riotous excess. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]
  • He saw the lean dogs beneath the wall Hold o'er the dead their carnival --Byron. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'carnival'

From: Moby Thesaurus