pavilion

[ puh-vil-yuhn ]

noun

1. a light, usually open building used for shelter, concerts, exhibits, etc., as in a park or fair.
2. any of a number of separate or attached buildings forming a hospital or the like.
3. Architecture. a projecting element of a façade, used especially at the center or at each end and usually treated so as to suggest a tower.
4. a tent, especially a large and elaborate one.
5. a small, ornamental building in a garden.
6. Also called base. Jewelry. the part of a cut gem below the girdle.

verb (used with object)

1. to shelter in or as if in a pavilion.
2. to furnish with pavilions.

pavilion

/ pəˈvɪljən /

noun

1. a building at a sports ground, esp a cricket pitch, in which players change
2. a summerhouse or other decorative shelter
3. a building or temporary structure, esp one that is open and ornamental, for housing exhibitions
4. a large ornate tent, esp one with a peaked top, as used by medieval armies
5. one of a set of buildings that together form a hospital or other large institution
6. one of four main facets on a brilliant-cut stone between the girdle and the culet

verb

1. to place or set in or as if in a pavilion

   pavilioned in splendour

2. to provide with a pavilion or pavilions

Other Words From

• unpa·vilioned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pavilion¹

1250–1300; Middle English pavilon < Old French paveillon < Latin pāpiliōn- (stem of pāpiliō ) butterfly

Word History and Origins

Origin of pavilion¹

C13: from Old French pavillon canopied structure, from Latin pāpiliō butterfly, tent

Example Sentences

Many of the same problems that plagued the Bruins last week were present again during a disjointed 71-40 victory over Boston University at Pauley Pavilion.

From Los Angeles Times

News of the eyebrow-raising mistake came a day after Erivo, Grande and Jennifer Lopez, as well as Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, who starred in the original Broadway blockbuster, appeared at the movie’s premiere at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

From Los Angeles Times

Saturday night at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles Opera revived a lavish production of Gounod’s “Romeo and Juliet,” written two years earlier than “The Stone Guest.”

From Los Angeles Times

Six months later, the No. 22 Bruins will reveal the results of their free-agency haul Monday at Pauley Pavilion when they face Rider in their season opener.

From Los Angeles Times

Penarth Pier, now 117 years old and instantly recognisable with its art deco styled pavilion building, permits fishing for nine months of the year.

From BBC

Related Words

• structure