DictionarymidwayFairground amusement area
noun

midway

An area of a fair or carnival with rides, games, and other amusements.

The midway buzzes with families enjoying carnival games and colorful rides.

Etymology

The amusement-area sense spread from Chicago's Midway Plaisance, the entertainment area of the 1893 world's fair. The place-name became a common term for similar fairground attractions.

More examples

  • We stroll down the midway after visiting the livestock exhibits.
  • A Ferris wheel towers over the midway.
  • Both county fairs have midways packed with games and rides.

Forms

midway · midways

carnival noun — An outdoor entertainment event with rides and games.

Similar words

fairground
Covers the whole fair site, not just its amusement area.
amusement park
Usually a permanent attraction rather than part of a fair.