parade

noun

pa·rade | \ pə-ˈrād

Definition of parade

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a pompous show : exhibition

2a : the ceremonial formation of a body of troops before a superior officer

b : a place where troops assemble regularly for parade

3a : an informal procession

b : a public procession

c : a usually lengthy array or succession a parade of visitors

4a : a place for strolling

b : those who promenade

parade

verb

paraded; parading

Definition of parade (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to cause to maneuver or march : marshal

2 : promenade

3 : to exhibit ostentatiously

intransitive verb

1 : to march in or as if in a procession

2 : promenade

3a : show off

b : masquerade myths which parade as modern science— M. R. Cohen

Other Words from parade Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about parade

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Synonyms for parade

Synonyms: Noun

cortege (also cortège), procession

Synonyms: Verb

file, march, pace, stride

Choose the Right Synonym for parade

Verb

show, exhibit, display, expose, parade, flaunt mean to present so as to invite notice or attention. show implies no more than enabling another to see or examine. showed her snapshots to the whole group exhibit stresses putting forward prominently or openly. exhibit paintings at a gallery display emphasizes putting in a position where others may see to advantage. display sale items expose suggests bringing forth from concealment and displaying. sought to expose the hypocrisy of the town fathers parade implies an ostentatious or arrogant displaying. parading their piety for all to see flaunt suggests a shameless, boastful, often offensive parading. nouveaux riches flaunting their wealth

Examples of parade in a Sentence

Noun

the annual Thanksgiving Day parade After the team won the championship, the city threw a parade for them. The town will put on a parade. The marching band lined up for the homecoming parade.

Verb

The team and its fans paraded down the street. Protesters paraded in front of City Hall. The models paraded up and down the runway. She paraded around on the beach in her bikini. The victors paraded the prisoners through the streets.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

However, one power couple was missing from the pre-show parade: Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani. — Kelly O'sullivan, Country Living, "Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani Didn't Let the Miranda Lambert Drama Ruin Their ACMs," 8 Apr. 2019 On weekdays, foot soldiers in New York City’s business-and-finance army parade through Manhattan... — Akane Otani, WSJ, "Patagonia Triggers a Market Panic Over New Rules on Its Power Vests," 8 Apr. 2019 As if that weren't enough, there's even a parade that features dogs and ponies in costumes. — Elizabeth Gulino, House Beautiful, "This Resort Has the Most Stunning Lilac Festival You’ll Ever See," 5 Apr. 2019 Andy Kaufman played a policeman who goes on a shooting spree during the St. Patrick’s Day parade. — Jake Coyle, The Seattle Times, "Larry Cohen, director of cult horror films, dies at 77," 25 Mar. 2019 During her most recent royal appearance, a visit to Hounslow for the St Patrick’s Day parade, the Duchess sipped on Guinness to celebrate. — Lucy Wood, Marie Claire, "Kate Middleton Put an End to Pregnancy Rumors on Her St Patrick's Day Royal Appearance," 18 Mar. 2019 Today, some Christian churches reenact the parade, while others incorporate palms or other branches in the mass or service. — Woman's Day Staff, Woman's Day, "When Is Palm Sunday? Here's Everything You Need to Know," 4 Mar. 2019 The impromptu parade included a girl in a pink helmet, a boy with yellow handlebars, and a bearded hipster with dreadlocks flowing in the summer breeze. — Sarah Gish, kansascity, "Will Kansas City ever be bike-friendly? The city is about to roll out a plan," 13 July 2018 In September, Biden marched in Pittsburgh’s Labor Day parade, drawing shouts of encouragement from building trades union members to run for president. — Marc Levy, The Seattle Times, "Surprise? Pennsylvania’s 2020 primary could be competitive," 25 Mar. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The Soviets paraded all types of military equipment but the most important sightings were of nuclear weapons delivery systems. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "How the CIA Watched Soviet Parades for New Military Tech," 19 Dec. 2018 And when Russia followed that with a win over Egypt five days later, clinching a spot in the second round, fans paraded through the streets and Metro stations of Moscow and St. Petersburg, singing, chanting and blowing car horns. — Kevin Baxter, latimes.com, "Winning changes everything for once-ridiculed Russian national team," 24 June 2018 With extended families in attendance, each graduate was paraded through the party under a shower of exploding glitter and booming Iraqi pop music. — Ivor Prickett, New York Times, "A Drink in a Bar, a Dip in the Tigris: Mosul Returns to Life," 29 May 2018 Churchill Downs officials have not confirmed plans, but Justify could be paraded for fans Saturday during Stephen Foster Night. — Jason Frakes, The Courier-Journal, "Triple Crown winner Justify returns to Churchill Downs," 11 June 2018 Twitter is a hellmouth parading as a social media site. — Megan Farokhmanesh, The Verge, "Not a cellphone in sight," 9 Nov. 2018 And now pieces of those identities are being paraded on white bodies for profit, entertainment, and fall holiday parties. — Rachel Elizabeth Cargle, Harper's BAZAAR, "Megyn Kelly's "Blackface" Comments Reveal a Larger Truth About Appropriation," 30 Oct. 2018 Miss America will no longer make contestants parade on stage in swimsuits and will stop referring to itself as a pageant – an effort to move the 97-year-old event forward in the #MeToo era after its upper ranks were rocked by scandal. — Time, "Miss America Is Ending Its Swimsuit Competition," 5 June 2018 In a nutshell, Facebook is going back to its roots, trying to show you stuff from your friends, not news items or items parading as news. — Jefferson Graham, USA TODAY, "We are the remote control of the future," 13 Jan. 2018

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

History and Etymology for parade

Noun

borrowed from French, "show, display (of an object to demonstrate its value), show of military force, cavalry procession," going back to Middle French, from parer "to prepare, adorn, dress (a person) with care" (going back to Old French) + -ade -ade — more at pare

Verb

derivative of parade entry 1

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More Definitions for parade

parade

noun

English Language Learners Definition of parade

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a public celebration of a special day or event that usually includes many people and groups moving down a street by marching or riding in cars or on special vehicles (called floats)

: a military ceremony in which soldiers march or stand in lines so that they can be examined by officers or other important people

: a long series of people or things that come one after the other

parade

verb

English Language Learners Definition of parade (Entry 2 of 2)

: to walk or march together in public especially as a way of celebrating or protesting something

: to walk in a way that attracts attention

: to force (someone) to walk or march in public

See the full definition for parade in the English Language Learners Dictionary

parade

noun

pa·rade | \ pə-ˈrād

Kids Definition of parade

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a public celebration that includes people moving in order down a street by walking or riding in vehicles or on floats a circus parade the Independence Day parade

2 : the formation of troops before an officer for inspection

3 : great show or display … I couldn't see the usual parade of ships coming toward the harbor …— Theodore Taylor, The Cay