pageantry

noun

pag·​eant·​ry ˈpa-jən-trē 

1

: pageants and the presentation of pageants

2

: colorful, rich, or splendid display : spectacle

3

: mere show : empty display

Examples of pageantry in a Sentence

I like the tradition and pageantry that come with graduations.

Recent Examples on the Web

Kumari writes that horses were both a source of military strength and a focus of pageantry for Mughal aristocratic leaders. —Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 20 Mar. 2026

All the predictions, drama and pageantry of Hollywood’s biggest night will play out at the Dolby Theatre this afternoon as the 98th Academy Awards get underway. —Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026

Indigenous communities across Michigan will come together for powwows this spring and summer, attracting thousands of people who will participate and many more who hope to witness the traditions and pageantry of the events. —Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 7 Mar. 2026

But beneath the pageantry, something unusual was unfolding. —Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 6 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

pageantry

noun

pag·​eant·​ry ˈpaj-ən-trē 

plural pageantries

1

: pageants and the presentation of pageants

2

: splendid display