cavalcade

American  

[kav-uhl-keyd, kav-uhl-keyd] / ˌkæv əlˈkeɪd, ˈkæv əlˌkeɪd /

noun

1. a procession of persons riding on horses, in horsedrawn carriages, in cars, etc.

2. any procession.

   Synonyms:

   retinue, parade

3. any noteworthy series, as of events or activities.

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cavalcade British  

/ ˌkævəlˈkeɪd /

noun

1. a procession of people on horseback, in cars, etc

2. any procession

   a cavalcade of guests

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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 ( 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.

Example Sentences

I tried leaning on it, hand on hip, and felt myself transformed from a geriatric sourpuss into a bemused observer of the human cavalcade.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 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

In the daytime, Disneyland will provide a character cavalcade rather than one of its full parade productions.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2024

They followed the cavalcade up the winding road to the top of the hill, where there was a sign announcing a fair at Wychwood Bee.

From "The Door in the Wall" by Marguerite de Angeli