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

The streetscape below, with wood-frame retail pavilions and green space, is designed to appeal to people and keep them around when the workday ends.

From Washington Post

After dozens of public meetings and presentations, the Smithsonian altered the plan, restoring the entry pavilions and promising the Haupt garden would be retained.

From Washington Post

Standing under a pavilion in this small town, Espy spoke of progress and unity before working the crowd as dozens lined up for grilled hamburgers.

From Washington Post

The northern pavilion remains, and is occupied by Louis Vuitton.

From Fortune

There was even a socially distanced Fourth of July pig roast on its sprawling outdoor pavilion.

From Eater

“Doctor Zhivago could not be handed out at the American pavilion, but the CIA had an ally nearby,” Finn and Couvée write.

From The Daily Beast

The atmosphere at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea was redolent of these lobster palaces.

From The Daily Beast

The piece suggests that Warhol was ultimately OK—and, quite possibly, pleased—with how the Pavilion affair went down.

From The Daily Beast

Capital Skates (Mackenzie King Bridge) and Dows Lake Pavilion offer skate hire, Monday to Sunday, 9am/10am–10pm.

From The Daily Beast

Art in its informative mode, in a video installation by Ali Kazma, in the Turkish pavilion of this year's Venice biennale.

From The Daily Beast

He made right for the King's pavilion, and, shouting his war-cry, actually 'cut two or three of its cords.'

From Project Gutenberg

At the back of the pavilion there was a secret door in the panelling, the key of which the Consul always carried in his pocket.

From Project Gutenberg

The next time the fruit disappeared, I found a banana all smashed up in Kari's pavilion.

From Project Gutenberg

With one wild scream the monkey jumped off my shoulder, climbed up the pavilion post and disappeared on the roof.

From Project Gutenberg

It was honoured by the presence of their majesties, who partook of a banquet in a pavilion erected on the bridge.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• structure