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

Example Sentences

One of the other adults in the group steps closer, away from the commotion, and asks for a table for six, and could they please sit outside, under the pavilion on the dock.

From Literature

A $10 add-on ticket along with a museum ticket is required to explore the pavilion.

From Los Angeles Times

A few kids chased one another with sticks and clacked on roller skates at the rear of the pavilion.

From Literature

The plans would see a sports hub, play area, improvements to the BMX track and refurbishment of the existing pavilion.

From BBC

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

From Barron's

Related Words

• structure