noun
-
a procession of people on horseback, in cars, etc
-
any procession
a cavalcade of guests
Etymology
Origin of cavalcade
1585–95; < Middle French < early Italian cavalcata horseback raid, equivalent to cavalc ( are ) to ride on horseback (< Late Latin caballicāre, equivalent to caball ( us ) horse ( see cavalier) + -icā- v. suffix + -re infinitive ending) + -ata -ade 1
Explanation
If you are traveling with a procession of people on horseback, you are part of a cavalcade. The word cavalcade comes from the Latin word for horse, caballus. The word cavalry, which means soldiers on horseback, comes from the same Latin root. So strictly speaking, a cavalcade is group of people on horseback or in horse-drawn carriages, moving together in some kind of ceremony or parade. But cavalcades can include vehicles or people walking, like the motorcycle cavalcades that sometimes accompany a funeral procession.
Vocabulary lists containing cavalcade
The Hobbit
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Tolkien Reading Day, List 9
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The 57 Bus
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In the short term, though, a cavalcade of companies from Snap to Amazon have invoked AI or a desire to find efficiencies as they slash large portions of their workforces.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026
Under the umbrella of “Masterpiece,” a cavalcade of mysteries, dramas, melodramas and multipart adaptations of classic novels have come to these shores.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 29, 2025
Before rushing into action, or joining the cavalcade fretting about a market bubble, remember Thanksgiving.
From Barron's • Dec. 17, 2025
Sir Sadiq Khan will be leading the cavalcade in his role as mayor of London.
From BBC • Jun. 27, 2025
A roadrunner chased a small lizard from the left side in front of our traveling animal cavalcade.
From This Side of Wild by Gary Paulsen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
