pavilion

American  

[puh-vil-yuhn] / pəˈvɪl jən /

noun

pavilions plural

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

Derived Forms

• unpavilioned
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• pavilions
  plural

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

See Examples For:

pavilion pavilions

Around 100 firefighters and 15 fire engines were sent to the scene, where the fire destroyed just over half of the pavilion before it was brought under control at 21:25.

From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026

Firefighters rescued three men from a single-storey pavilion on New Zealand Way after the blaze broke out shortly before 19:00 BST on Saturday.

From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026

"It successfully generated enough formic acid to power a miniature diorama in the pavilion, showing its potential as an efficient artificial photosynthesis system that could potentially be used to charge applications in our homes."

From Science Daily ● Jun. 11, 2026

Venice lined the outside of Israel’s pavilion with police.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 7, 2026

"You know—like a pavilion or a tent? That shouldn't cost too much, right?"

From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins

The address kicked off the Great American State Fair, a free festival marking the semiquincentennial anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with state pavilions, military flyovers, music and patriotic displays.

From Barron's ● Jun. 25, 2026

While the original museum is contained in a subterranean space built into the landscape of the park, the new light-filled campus is a swooping architectural feat that features three pavilions connected by an open canopy.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2026

That ceremony has now been cancelled and visitors will instead get to vote themselves on their favourite pavilions.

From BBC ● Apr. 30, 2026

Participating countries set up pavilions in Venice, and the art biennial typically attracts more than 600,000 visitors over its seven-month run.

From Barron's ● Apr. 30, 2026

Jeweled pavilions and gazebos dot garden lanes, serving different teas, coffees, and sweets.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

• structure