pageant

noun

pag·eant | \ˈpa-jənt

Definition of pageant

1a : 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 Example Sentences Learn More about pageant

Keep scrolling for more

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 new leaders have begun making changes in the pageant, which dates to 1921. — Amy Lieu, Fox News, "Miss America board, led by Gretchen Carlson, facing revolt by state pageant officials," 8 July 2018 Emin and his wealthy developer father, Aras Agalarov, worked with Trump to host the Miss Universe pageant in Russia several years back. — Andrew Prokop, Vox, "Russian pop star who arranged Trump Tower meeting makes music video about colluding with Trump," 26 June 2018 Last year, O’Bannon placed third in the pageant, modeling a calf-length dress in the formal wear competition. — Don Maines, Houston Chronicle, "For years, Deer Park woman, 85, has loved making ’em laugh," 23 May 2018 An Agalarov employee testified to the committee that the Russian mogul tried to get Trump a meeting with Putin when the Miss Universe pageant, which Trump owned, was held in Moscow in 2013. — Anchorage Daily News, "Thousands of pages of congressional testimony shed light on 2016 Trump Tower meeting with Russians," 16 May 2018 Their wedding comes two years after Miss Missouri, Erin O'Flaherty, broke ground by becoming the first openly gay woman to compete in the Miss America pageant. — Lisa Gutierrez, kansascity, "Former Miss America from Alabama marries girlfriend, warming hearts all around | The Kansas City Star," 16 Apr. 2018 Earlier this week, San Diego Superior Court Judge Timothy Taylor issued a tentative ruling to grant a motion filed by beauty pageant contestants against Kalasho and his wife, Jessica. — Karen Pearlman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "El Cajon residents speak out against embattled councilman," 11 July 2018 At a small home with a leaking tin roof near Venezuela’s capital, Johandrys Colls proudly shows off two metal crowns with plastic gemstones and nine satin sashes won in local beauty pageants. — Washington Post, "In embattled Venezuela, beauty offers ladder out of poverty," 6 July 2018 The first victim was a prominent forensic psychiatrist who had consulted in high-profile murder cases, including the 1996 killing of child beauty-pageant star JonBenet Ramsey. — Manuel Torres, NOLA.com, "Suspect in six Arizona shootings attacked victims tied to his divorce, police say," 5 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pageant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.