pageant

[ paj-uhnt ]

noun

1. 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.
2. a costumed procession, masque, allegorical tableau, or the like forming part of public or social festivities.
3. a show or exhibition, especially one consisting of a succession of participants or events:

   a beauty pageant.

4. something comparable to a procession in colorful variety, splendor, or grandeur:

   the pageant of Renaissance history.

5. a pretentious display or show that conceals a lack of real importance or meaning.
6. (in medieval times) a platform or stage, usually moving on wheels, on which scenes from mystery plays were presented.
7. display or pageantry.
8. Obsolete. a stage bearing any kind of spectacle.

pageant

/ ˈpædʒənt /

noun

1. an elaborate colourful parade or display portraying scenes from history, esp one involving rich costume
2. any magnificent or showy display, procession, etc

Other Words From

• pageant·eer noun
• pa·gean·tic [p, uh, -, jan, -tik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pageant¹

1350–1400; Middle English pagyn, pagaunt, pagand < Anglo-Latin pāgina a stage for plays, scene, platform, perhaps special use of Latin pāgina page ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of pageant¹

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

Example Sentences

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.

From Time

I was invited to participate in a homecoming queen pageant, which was in Atlanta.

From 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.

From 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.

From Ozy

Just like radioactive fallout, even atomic bombshell pageants and their sylphlike winners had a half-life.

From Ozy

Myerson herself appears to have bought into that stigma, offering mixed to negative views on the Miss America pageant.

From The Daily Beast

In 1995, Myerson made a point not to attend the 75th anniversary of the Miss America pageant.

From The Daily Beast

The mayor responded defiantly with a kind of military pageant that was truly bizarre for such a secretive organization.

From The Daily Beast

She reluctantly agreed to make her grams happy, and participated in the Miss Universe Canada pageant, placing in the top 15.

From The Daily Beast

Reform first came in 1935 when Lenora Slaughter was hired to re-invent the pageant as its new director.

From The Daily Beast

The virtuous Almahide is a fit object for the adoration of Almanzor; but her husband is a poor pageant of royalty.

From Project Gutenberg

Nothing was wanting, indeed, to give the utmost possible splendour to the pageant.

From Project Gutenberg

The pageant of autumn on our hills was 263 over, only an amethyst haze succeeding at sunset time.

From Project Gutenberg

These various properties decked out the pageant which each Gild contributed to the common procession.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a typical June day, and thousands flocked to see the pageant and to hear the greatest orator in the land.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• celebration
• extravaganza
• fair
• parade
• procession
• ritual
• tableau