pageant
Americannoun
-
pageants
plural
-
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.
noun
-
an elaborate colourful parade or display portraying scenes from history, esp one involving rich costume
-
any magnificent or showy display, procession, etc
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of pageant
1350–1400; Middle English pagyn, pagaunt, pagand < Anglo-Latin pāgina a stage for plays, scene, platform, perhaps special use of Latin pāgina page 1
Explanation
A pageant is an elaborate show or parade that usually depicts a historical or religious event, although these days more people know them as Miss America-type beauty contests. Pageants aren't just for beauty queens — any richly decorated spectacle or ceremony could be considered a pageant. Around Christmas time, many Christian churches put on pageants that reenact the birth of Jesus. The Carnival parades in Brazil represent another type of pageant. And if your school organized a show where students had to act out famous moments in history? That would be a pageant, too.
Vocabulary lists containing pageant
List 9
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!
Stella by Starlight
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!
Bodega Dreams
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.
See Examples For:
“It feels like the benefits and the perks that we have enjoyed for a long time keep vanishing,” said Todd Stubbler, a 61-year-old pageant helper who has worked at Disneyland for close to 35 years.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026
Tristan said getting involved in the Mister England beauty pageant and representing England at Mister International helped jump start his wrestling career.
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026
Trainers clad in ornate uniforms and traditional white fur headgear led golden-bedecked stallions round a stage arena at an annual horse beauty pageant in the ultra-closed Central Asian state of Turkmenistan.
From Barron's ● Jun. 5, 2026
President Vladimir Putin has used the occasion to project Russia’s strength, but this year’s military pageant will look very different.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 9, 2026
I’ve been so busy practicing for the pageant that I forgot that there’s a social at the end of the school year.
From "Like Vanessa" by Tami Charles
The shorts often satirize Christmas traditions such as gift-giving and pageants.
From Salon ● Dec. 24, 2025
Thitiphong Duangkhong, a scholar of women's and Latin American studies and an expert on beauty pageants, said those behind the pageant should be aware of their cultural differences.
From BBC ● Nov. 20, 2025
More than 120 women from across the world have gathered in Thailand, vying to be crowned Miss Universe in a contest considered one of the "big four" of global beauty pageants.
From Barron's ● Nov. 6, 2025
Feminist icon Gloria Steinem and journalist Diane Sawyer both competed in pageants.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 10, 2025
“The elementaries have holiday pageants; the high school has Homecoming. Halloween is our thing! How can Mr. Kasigi do this to us?”
From "Schooled" by Gordon Korman
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.
