pavilion

American  

[puh-vil-yuhn] / pəˈvɪl yən /

noun

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

• unpavilioned adjective

Etymology

Origin of pavilion

1250–1300; Middle English pavilon < Old French paveillon < Latin pāpiliōn- (stem of pāpiliō ) butterfly

Example Sentences

The plans would see a sports hub, play area, improvements to the BMX track and refurbishment of the existing pavilion.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

Wicketkeeper-batter Seifert, who made 24, soon followed his opening partner back to the pavilion as he fell to Varun Chakravarthy's spin.

From Barron's • Jan. 23, 2026

It’s a treasure trove, as intermixed with Fairyland’s puppets will be those from Walt Disney World’s Epcot, such as a fiery red Pantalone from the theme park’s Italy pavilion.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 21, 2026

But greater impact, we see, was made by the German pavilion designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich using Roman travertine, green marble, onyx and glass, ushering in architecture’s International Style.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026

Pinmei heard the king shift, and both she and Yishan craned their necks to see him lean out of the pavilion, holding the Paper over the frozen lake.

From "When the Sea Turned to Silver" by Grace Lin

Related Words

• structure