pageant

[ paj-uhnt ]

/ ˈpædʒ ənt /

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noun

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.

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Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of pageant

1350–1400; Middle English pagyn, pagaunt, pagand<Anglo-Latin pāgina a stage for plays, scene, platform, perhaps special use of Latin pāginapage¹

OTHER WORDS FROM pageant

pag·eant·eer, nounpa·gean·tic

[puh-jan-tik], /pəˈdʒæn tɪk/, adjective

Words nearby pageant

pagandom, Paganini, paganism, paganize, page, pageant, pageantry, pageboy, page description language, page-jack, page printer

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|Time
I 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|Ozy
When 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 Post
Arguably 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.
The Beauty Pageants Inspired by the Atomic Bomb|Fiona Zublin|October 15, 2020|Ozy

Just like radioactive fallout, even atomic bombshell pageants and their sylphlike winners had a half-life.
The Beauty Pageants Inspired by the Atomic Bomb|Fiona Zublin|October 15, 2020|Ozy
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|DAILY BEAST
In 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|DAILY BEAST
The mayor responded defiantly with a kind of military pageant that was truly bizarre for such a secretive organization.
Mexico’s Murderous SWAT Teams|Jason McGahan|November 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
Reform first came in 1935 when Lenora Slaughter was hired to re-invent the pageant as its new director.
There She Is! Deport the Miss America Pageant.|Amy Zimmerman|October 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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 Dryden
Nothing 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. Nolan
The pageant of autumn on our hills was 263 over, only an amethyst haze succeeding at sunset time.
The Idyl of Twin Fires|Walter Prichard Eaton
These various properties decked out the pageant which each Gild contributed to the common procession.
The Influence and Development of English Gilds|Francis Aiden Hibbert
It 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

pageant

/ (ˈpædʒənt) /

noun

an elaborate colourful parade or display portraying scenes from history, esp one involving rich costume

any magnificent or showy display, procession, etc

Word Origin for pageant

C14: from Medieval Latin pāgina scene of a play, from Latin: page 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

pageant

Origin of pageant

OTHER WORDS FROM pageant

Words nearby pageant

Words related to pageant

How to use pageant in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pageant

Word Origin for pageant