pageant
an elaborate public spectacle illustrative of the history of a place, institution, or the like, often given in dramatic form or as a procession of colorful floats.
a costumed procession, masque, allegorical tableau, or the like forming part of public or social festivities.
a show or exhibition, especially one consisting of a succession of participants or events: a beauty pageant.
something comparable to a procession in colorful variety, splendor, or grandeur: the pageant of Renaissance history.
a pretentious display or show that conceals a lack of real importance or meaning.
(in medieval times) a platform or stage, usually moving on wheels, on which scenes from mystery plays were presented.
display or pageantry.
Obsolete. a stage bearing any kind of spectacle.
Origin of pageant
1Other words from pageant
- pag·eant·eer, noun
- pa·gean·tic [puh-jan-tik], /pəˈdʒæn tɪk/, adjective
Words Nearby pageant
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use pageant in a sentence
Though Willowdean, cruelly nicknamed “Dumplin’” by her mother, is comfortable in her own skin, she wants to shake up her conservative town, and spite her mother, by participating in the pageant.
The Best Teen Rom-Coms to Watch After You Finish the To All the Boys Trilogy | Annabel Gutterman | February 12, 2021 | TimeI was invited to participate in a homecoming queen pageant, which was in Atlanta.
Cynthia Bailey on Modeling, Entrepreneurship and the ‘Real Housewife’ Life | Nick Fouriezos | February 4, 2021 | OzyWhen she informed local pageant directors that she wanted public awareness of the disease as her issue, they winced and asked if she had a second choice.
Leanza Cornett, Miss America who was crusading AIDS activist, dies at 49 | Amy Argetsinger | October 29, 2020 | Washington PostArguably the most famous of these pageant winners, however, was Miss Atomic Bomb 1957, Copa showgirl Lee Merlin, who wore fluffy cotton mushroom clouds attached to the front of her swimsuit while flashing a 1,000-watt smile.
Just like radioactive fallout, even atomic bombshell pageants and their sylphlike winners had a half-life.
Myerson herself appears to have bought into that stigma, offering mixed to negative views on the Miss America pageant.
Why Was Bess Myerson the First and Last Jewish Miss America? | Emily Shire | January 7, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTIn 1995, Myerson made a point not to attend the 75th anniversary of the Miss America pageant.
Why Was Bess Myerson the First and Last Jewish Miss America? | Emily Shire | January 7, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThe mayor responded defiantly with a kind of military pageant that was truly bizarre for such a secretive organization.
She reluctantly agreed to make her grams happy, and participated in the Miss Universe Canada pageant, placing in the top 15.
The Making of Kiesza: From Navy Sharpshooter to Beauty Queen to Pop Diva | Marlow Stern | October 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTReform first came in 1935 when Lenora Slaughter was hired to re-invent the pageant as its new director.
The virtuous Almahide is a fit object for the adoration of Almanzor; but her husband is a poor pageant of royalty.
The Works Of John Dryden, Volume 4 (of 18) | John DrydenNothing was wanting, indeed, to give the utmost possible splendour to the pageant.
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.III. | E. Farr and E. H. NolanThe pageant of autumn on our hills was 263 over, only an amethyst haze succeeding at sunset time.
The Idyl of Twin Fires | Walter Prichard EatonThese various properties decked out the pageant which each Gild contributed to the common procession.
The Influence and Development of English Gilds | Francis Aiden HibbertIt was a typical June day, and thousands flocked to see the pageant and to hear the greatest orator in the land.
Select Speeches of Daniel Webster | Daniel Webster
British Dictionary definitions for pageant
/ (ˈpædʒənt) /
an elaborate colourful parade or display portraying scenes from history, esp one involving rich costume
any magnificent or showy display, procession, etc
Origin of pageant
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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