pageant

noun

pag·​eant ˈpa-jənt 

1

a

: a mere show : pretense

b

: an ostentatious display

2

: show, exhibition

especially : an elaborate colorful exhibition or spectacle often with music that consists of a series of tableaux, of a loosely unified drama, or of a procession usually with floats

3

: pageantry sense 1

Synonyms of pageant

• parade
• presentation
• panorama

Examples of pageant in a Sentence

They disagreed with the pageant judges.

Their church puts on an annual Christmas pageant.

Recent Examples on the Web

The store became a sponsor of the Miss World beauty pageant, and John served as a judge for Miss Universe Great Britain, a significant recruiting pipeline for models. —Heidi Blake, New Yorker, 8 June 2026

Rachelle Di Stasio brings pageant-level polish to courtside style. —Amanda Le, InStyle, 8 June 2026

The pageant, for 14- to 20-year-old participants, held its fourth edition in early May with contestants from 21 countries. —Sarah Moreno may 31, Miami Herald, 31 May 2026

With the theme of something-larger-than-life in mind, pageant staff is playing chess with City Hall, using giant sculptures inspired by a 19th-century ivory chess set on display at the Norton Simon Museum. —Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 30 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pagyn, padgeant, literally, scene of a play, from Anglo-French pagine, pagent, from Medieval Latin pagina, perhaps from Latin, page

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

pageant

noun

pag·​eant ˈpaj-ənt 

1

: an impressive exhibition or spectacle

2

: an entertainment consisting of scenes based on history or legend