pavilion

American  

[puh-vil-yuhn] / pəˈvɪl jən /

noun

• pavilions
  plural

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

Derived Forms

• unpavilioned
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• pavilions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of pavilion

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

Explanation

Pavilions are made for pleasure. A traveling circus takes place under a big colorful pavilion or billowing tent. A wedding might take place under a pavilion or freestanding decorative building in a garden. The word pavilion comes from the Latin papilionem meaning "tent" or literally "butterfly." Think of the sweeping beautiful wings of a butterfly and how they sort of resemble the folds of a tent. In the eighteenth century, pavilions were popular in Europe. Wealthy people would build these small temple-like buildings where they could go to reflect and find calm. Today, the word is more commonly used for big tents or outdoor spaces where events are held.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pavilion pavilions

Besides a seat, the package includes access to a shared lounge space, a welcome drink, an L.A.-inspired food item and entry to a hospitality pavilion before or after the selected session.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026

Additionally, the home has a den, built-in storage, curved staircase, outdoor movie pavilion, and 50-foot-long lap pool designed by Johnston Vidal.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026

Around 100 firefighters and 15 fire engines were sent to the scene, where the fire destroyed just over half of the pavilion before it was brought under control at 21:25.

From BBC ● Jun. 20, 2026

"It successfully generated enough formic acid to power a miniature diorama in the pavilion, showing its potential as an efficient artificial photosynthesis system that could potentially be used to charge applications in our homes."

From Science Daily ● Jun. 11, 2026

She glances over toward the pavilion and grunts.

From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland

There are similar pavilions elsewhere, including Long Beach and DTLA, for the multiple sports in those areas.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026

Typically the Biennale is an escapist refuge where dozens of countries show off their homegrown artists in pavilions and palazzos citywide.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 7, 2026

The canal-side gardens of the Biennale are home to dozens of stylish national pavilions that operate as showcases for their owners.

From BBC ● May 6, 2026

Visitors entering the complex arrive at an open plaza where they can choose to walk down to the existing museum, or explore the above-ground pavilions.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 4, 2026

And then Aragorn stood up, and all the host arose, and they passed to pavilions made ready, to eat and drink and make merry while the day lasted.

From "The Return of the King" by J.R.R. Tolkien

Related Words

• structure