bastille day: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumFormal, Historical, Cultural
Quick answer
What does “bastille day” mean?
The French national holiday on 14 July, commemorating the Storming of the Bastille prison fortress in 1789, a key event in the French Revolution.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The French national holiday on 14 July, commemorating the Storming of the Bastille prison fortress in 1789, a key event in the French Revolution.
Any large public celebration, commemoration, or political uprising, often referenced metaphorically outside France to signify revolutionary change or mass celebration.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used identically in both varieties, referring to the same French holiday. Awareness and frequency of mention may be slightly higher in the UK due to geographical proximity and historical ties.
Connotations
Primarily historical and cultural. Connotes revolution, liberty, nationalism, and celebration. No significant difference between UK and US connotations.
Frequency
Low-to-medium frequency in international news and cultural/history contexts. Not a part of domestic UK or US holiday vocabulary.
Grammar
How to Use “bastille day” in a Sentence
We celebrate [Bastille Day].The [Bastille Day] parade was spectacular.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bastille day” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The local French community will bastille-day with a street party.
adjective
British English
- The Bastille-Day festivities were covered live on television.
American English
- We looked for Bastille Day events in the city guide.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in international business news regarding closures in France.
Academic
Common in history, political science, and European studies contexts.
Everyday
Used when discussing travel plans, world holidays, or in expatriate communities.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bastille day”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bastille day”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bastille day”
- Incorrect capitalization (e.g., 'bastille day').
- Referring to it as 'French Independence Day' (France does not have an independence day in the same sense as the US).
- Pronouncing 'Bastille' with a hard 'i' (/baɪˈstiːl/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in that both are major national holidays with fireworks and patriotic displays. However, Bastille Day commemorates a specific revolutionary act, while the Fourth of July celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
It is common for English speakers to say this to French people or in international contexts. In France, the common greeting is 'Bonne fête nationale!' (Happy National Holiday!).
In English, it is pronounced /bæˈstiːl/ (ba-STEEL). The final 'e' is silent, unlike the French pronunciation.
It is a public holiday, so government offices, banks, and many shops are closed. However, restaurants, cafes, and tourist attractions, especially in Paris, are often open for the celebrations.
The French national holiday on 14 July, commemorating the Storming of the Bastille prison fortress in 1789, a key event in the French Revolution.
Bastille day is usually formal, historical, cultural in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It was a real Bastille Day moment. (a sudden, decisive uprising or celebration)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'BAStille' sounds like 'BASS-till' - the music played 'till' the day ends on July 14th.
Conceptual Metaphor
REVOLUTION IS A STORM / LIBERTY IS A FESTIVAL
Practice
Quiz
What historical event does Bastille Day commemorate?