pageant

noun

pag·​eant ˈpa-jənt How to pronounce pageant (audio)
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

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 Down below the village, the enticing landscape is a blend of olive trees and vineyards surrounding Mount Ida, a major player in myths and legends where Aphrodite won the world’s first beauty pageant and Zeus watched the Trojan War unfold. Laurie Werner, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024 Captured by Tina Barney, the campaign featured a pageant theme complete with tiaras and sashes. Julia Teti, WWD, 14 Oct. 2024 As a teenager, Cobby took part in many beauty pageants, winning the Miss Western Suburbs pageant in 1979, News.com.au reported. Kc Baker, People.com, 14 Oct. 2024 Growing up, her passion for performing was also nurtured through ballet and beauty pageants, more proof that her future was going to be spent on the stage. Ilana Kaplan, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pageant 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pageant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of pageant was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near pageant

Cite this Entry

“Pageant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pageant. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

pageant

noun
pag·​eant ˈpaj-ənt How to pronounce pageant (audio)
1
: an impressive exhibition or spectacle
2
: an entertainment consisting of scenes based on history or legend

More from Merriam-Webster on pageant

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