pavilion

American  

[puh-vil-yuhn] / pəˈvɪl yən /

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.

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verb (used with object)

1. to shelter in or as if in a pavilion.

2. to furnish with pavilions.

pavilion British  

/ 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

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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 Word Forms

• unpavilioned adjective

Etymology

Origin of pavilion

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

Explanation

Pavilions are made for pleasure. A traveling circus takes place under a big colorful pavilion or billowing tent. A wedding might take place under a pavilion or freestanding decorative building in a garden. The word pavilion comes from the Latin papilionem meaning "tent" or literally "butterfly." Think of the sweeping beautiful wings of a butterfly and how they sort of resemble the folds of a tent. In the eighteenth century, pavilions were popular in Europe. Wealthy people would build these small temple-like buildings where they could go to reflect and find calm. Today, the word is more commonly used for big tents or outdoor spaces where events are held.

Example Sentences

Olympics and Paralympics, at which time guests can look forward to expanded retail and dining offerings in the welcome pavilion, plus revamped galleries that allow for more contemporary presentation of the museum’s historic artifacts.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

Nine of the 25 businesses supposed to join the Israeli national pavilion were also kept away.

From Barron's • Mar. 2, 2026

But greater impact, we see, was made by the German pavilion designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich using Roman travertine, green marble, onyx and glass, ushering in architecture’s International Style.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026

Khawaja made only six before chopping on off Tongue, departing to a rapturous ovation and performing a sajdah in front of the pavilion.

From BBC • Jan. 7, 2026

She glances over toward the pavilion and grunts.

From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland

Related Words

• structure