host a feast

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "host a feast" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to throwing and organizing a social event such as a dinner or party. For example, "The family decided to host a feast to celebrate their grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This app lets you host a feast on a weekly basis or a few times throughout a week; chefs undergo a vetting process to be approved and verified.

Forbes

One time, when an engineer asked him to host a feast in honor of a Persian festival named Nowruz, he went out of his way to research Iranian cuisine by going out to local restaurants and asking for advice from employees of Iranian descent.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

When he arrived in Naukratis, he dedicated his figurine at the temple of Aphrodite and hosted a feast, the guests crowned with myrtle wreaths.

The Guardian - Arts

Alongside all of this, Brian Matthew will be hosting a feast of musical facts and figures for you to digest, and jogging your memory about a little band called Fluff.

BBC

In October, Barilla hosted a feast in New York that explored the role of food in film, art and literature, inviting famous chefs to create new dishes based on the movie Babette's Feast, Norman Rockwell's painting "Freedom from Want" and other famous works.

Forbes

James' successor, King Charles I, visited Edinburgh Castle only once, hosting a feast in the Great Hall and staying the night before his Scottish coronation in 1633.

Wikipedia

The title of The Barmecide Feast refers to a story from the Arabian Nights in which a sultan hosts a feast with no food and asks his guests to imagine the feast instead.

Vice

She describes meeting Ed; how a carefully planned meal went completely awry when she seated people wrongly; how her sister Sam will rig up an Indian tent in her Wiltshire garden and host a magical feast.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Over the summer months, the gardens host a movable feast of cultural activities – including movie screenings, plays, exhibitions, talks, music and barbecues that reflect the rich diversity of the artistic neighbourhood, which has long been a gateway for immigrants entering New York.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"After the fire, they may have been used to help the occupiers to decide whether the fire was a bad omen, or if the house's future was safe". Cattle bones found decorating the hearth in the rebuilt house may suggest the residents later went on to host a large feast to celebrate the rebuilding.

BBC

On May 16, Denevan will host a Filipino feast during Night Market at Grand Park at 6 p.m. Tickets are $235.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "host a feast", consider the tone and formality of your writing. It works well in both casual and more formal contexts, but be mindful of your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "feast" metaphorically when describing non-food related events, as it can sound unnatural or forced. For instance, instead of saying "a feast of information", consider "a wealth of information".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "host a feast" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where 'host' acts as the main verb and 'a feast' serves as the direct object. This phrase describes the action of organizing and providing a large or special meal.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "host a feast" is a grammatically correct and relatively common way to describe organizing and providing a large, celebratory meal. According to Ludwig, it is suitable for various contexts, with a neutral register. Its usage spans across news, academic, and general domains. While there are numerous alternatives, such as "throw a banquet" or "give a dinner party", "host a feast" conveys a specific sense of occasion and abundance. Be mindful of overusing "feast" metaphorically in unrelated contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

throw a banquet

Emphasis shifts from 'feast' to a more formal 'banquet'.

lay on a banquet

Similar to throw a banquet but with a different verb.

give a dinner party

Replaces "feast" with a more common term "dinner party".

stage a sumptuous dinner

Highlights the luxurious and elaborate nature of the dinner.

provide a lavish meal

Focuses on the quality and abundance of the meal.

hold a celebration

Broader term; 'celebration' could include a feast but isn't limited to food.

arrange a festive meal

Focuses on arranging meal with celebratory tone.

organize a reception

Implies a formal social gathering, often with food.

put on a spread

An informal way of saying to provide a large quantity of food.

cater a large gathering

Emphasis on providing food service rather than hosting.

FAQs

What does it mean to "host a feast"?

To "host a feast" means to organize and provide a large, elaborate, and often celebratory meal for a group of people. It implies being the organizer and provider of the event.

What can I say instead of "host a feast"?

You can use alternatives like "throw a banquet", "give a dinner party", or "hold a celebration", depending on the context.

Is "hosting a feast" the same as "catering a feast"?

No, "hosting a feast" implies organizing and providing the meal, while "catering a large gathering" specifically refers to providing the food service, often by an external company.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "host a feast"?

The phrase "host a feast" is appropriate when describing a significant and abundant meal, usually for a special occasion or celebration. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.