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

The last-minute withdrawal means South Africa will not be represented at the 73rd Miss Universe pageant, where Ms Le Roux was among 120 beauty queens vying for the coveted title.

From BBC

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

He was also known for hosting the Miss America pageant in the early 1980s, where he met his wife Valerie.

From BBC

A few months later, I wrote this for the Village Voice about Trump: “What we are watching every day is ‘pageant Trump,’ and it’s why the national political press has been so confused.

From Salon

The brand writes that the show was inspired by “renegade pageant queens and patriots.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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