Circus
Part of speech: noun
Definition: A traveling company of performers that may include acrobats, clowns, trained animals, and other novelty acts, that gives shows usually in a circular tent. A round open space in a town or city where multiple streets meet. In the ancient Roman Empire, a building for chariot racing. A World War II code name for bomber attacks with fighter escorts in the day time. The attacks were against short range targets with the intention of occupying enemy fighters and keeping their fighter units in the area concerned.
Example sentence: I could spend my whole life photographing circuses. They combine everything I'm interested in - they're ironic, poetic, and corny at the same time. There's also something about a circus that's magical, sentimental, and almost tragic, like a Fellini film.
Carnival
Part of speech: noun
Definition: A festive occasion marked by parades and sometimes special foods and other entertainmentComic good times marked by special events.A parade group masquerading, especially when overstepping the bounds of decorum; a time of riotous excess.
Example sentence: How many people do you know who have thrown up on the Scrambler or a carnival ride? A lot of people, is the answer.