parade

[ puh-reyd ]

noun

1. a large public procession, usually including a marching band and often of a festive nature, held in honor of an anniversary, person, event, etc.
2. a military ceremony involving the formation and marching of troop units, often combined with saluting the lowering of the flag at the end of the day.
3. the assembly of troops for inspection or display.
4. a place where troops regularly assemble for inspection or display.
5. a continual passing by, as of people, objects, or events:

   the parade of pedestrians past the office; the parade of the seasons.

6. an ostentatious display:

   to make a parade of one's religious beliefs.

7. Chiefly British.
   1. a group or procession of promenaders.
   2. a promenade.
8. Fortification. the level space forming the interior or enclosed area of a fortification.
9. Fencing. a parry.

verb (used with object)

, pa·rad·ed, pa·rad·ing.

1. to walk up and down on or in.
2. to make parade of; display ostentatiously.

   Synonyms: flourish, flaunt, show

   Antonyms: conceal

3. to cause to march or proceed for display.

verb (used without object)

, pa·rad·ed, pa·rad·ing.

1. to march in a procession.
2. to promenade in a public place, especially in order to show off.
3. to assemble in military order for display.
4. to assume a false or misleading appearance:

   international pressure that parades as foreign aid.

parade

/ pəˈreɪd /

noun

1. an ordered, esp ceremonial, march, assembly, or procession, as of troops being reviewed

   on parade

2. Also calledparade ground a place where military formations regularly assemble
3. a visible show or display

   to make a parade of one's grief

4. a public promenade or street of shops
5. a successive display of things or people
6. the interior area of a fortification
7. a parry in fencing
8. rain on someone's parade
   to hinder someone's enjoyment; upset someone's plans
9. on parade
   1. on display
   2. showing oneself off

verb

1. whenintr, often foll by through or along to walk or march, esp in a procession (through)

   to parade the streets

2. tr to exhibit or flaunt

   he was parading his medals

3. tr to cause to assemble in formation, as for a military parade
4. intr to walk about in a public place

Derived Forms

• paˈrader, noun

Other Words From

• pa·radeful adjective
• pa·radeless adjective
• pa·radelike adjective
• pa·rader noun
• pa·rading·ly adverb
• unpa·raded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of parade¹

1650–60; < French, Middle French < Spanish parada a stop, stopping place, noun use of feminine of parado, past participle of parar to stop, end < Latin parāre to set. See compare, parry, -ade ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of parade¹

C17: from French: a making ready, a setting out, a boasting display; compare Italian parata, Spanish parada, all ultimately from Latin parāre to prepare

Idioms and Phrases

see hit parade ; rain on one's parade .

Example Sentences

Spectacular to look at, the production is unfailingly exuberant, a parade of color and catchy chanson.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s nothing like opinion parading as facts to make you happy.

From Salon

Camp attendees have told of how he would often parade around without clothes in the boys’ dormitories - where he also slept, unlike other staff members.

From BBC

As president, he loved the pomp of a military parade, but hated facing the real people who serve — and are sometimes hurt or killed in real-world combat.

From Salon

The parade winds up with an appearance by the jolly old elf, Santa Claus, and his reindeer.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• brandish
• demonstrate
• flash
• prance
• strut
• swagger
• trot out