1. a period of unrestrained celebration and indulgence
2. an ancient Roman festival held in December in honor of Saturn, characterized by role reversals and merrymaking
Usage: historical

Examples

• The college town erupted into a saturnalia of parties during spring break.
• After the team won the championship, the city experienced a saturnalia of celebration.
• The ancient Roman saturnalia lasted for several days in December.
• During the saturnalia, social norms were temporarily suspended.
• The festival became a saturnalia of excess and revelry.
• Historians describe the saturnalia as a time when masters served their slaves.