pageant

[ paj-uhnt ]

noun

1. an elaborate public spectacle illustrative of the history of a place, institution, or the like, often given in dramatic form or as a procession of colorful floats.
2. a costumed procession, masque, allegorical tableau, or the like forming part of public or social festivities.
3. a show or exhibition, especially one consisting of a succession of participants or events:

   a beauty pageant.

4. something comparable to a procession in colorful variety, splendor, or grandeur:

   the pageant of Renaissance history.

5. a pretentious display or show that conceals a lack of real importance or meaning.
6. (in medieval times) a platform or stage, usually moving on wheels, on which scenes from mystery plays were presented.
7. display or pageantry.
8. Obsolete. a stage bearing any kind of spectacle.

pageant

/ ˈpædʒənt /

noun

1. an elaborate colourful parade or display portraying scenes from history, esp one involving rich costume
2. any magnificent or showy display, procession, etc

Other Words From

• pageant·eer noun
• pa·gean·tic [p, uh, -, jan, -tik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pageant¹

1350–1400; Middle English pagyn, pagaunt, pagand < Anglo-Latin pāgina a stage for plays, scene, platform, perhaps special use of Latin pāgina page ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of pageant¹

C14: from Medieval Latin pāgina scene of a play, from Latin: page ¹

Example Sentences

Lionsgate’s seasonal “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” based on the popular 1972 novel about a family of misfits, debuted in the No. 2 spot with $11.1 million.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s no shortage of seasonal films that claim to extol the “true meaning of Christmas” and this year, the holiday comes early with Dallas Jenkins’ “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” based on the 1972 novel by Barbara Robinson.

From Los Angeles Times

Playing Beth’s mother, Grace, she volunteers to direct their small town’s famed Christmas pageant after an incident befalls the longtime director.

From Los Angeles Times

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” strives to be a “Bad News Bears”-type comedy before it attempts a 180-degree turn into a heartwarming tale of unlikely interlopers who help a group of people truly understand Christmas.

From Los Angeles Times

As far as family-friendly, faith-based holiday movies go, you could do worse than “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” though it might not quite connect with all young audiences, as the film leans more toward poignant than playfully riotous.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• celebration
• extravaganza
• fair
• parade
• procession
• ritual
• tableau