parade

noun

pa·​rade pə-ˈrād 

plural parades

1

a

: a public procession (see procession entry 1 sense 1a) usually to mark a holiday or event

a homecoming parade

… the Halloween parade is open to all city boys and girls 12 years and younger wearing costumes. … Participants will receive a free trick-or-treat bag and candy along the parade route …

—The Springfield (Massachusetts) Morning Union

May 30th was Memorial Day, when Americans remember those who died serving in the armed forces. … Soldiers and sailors marched in parades honouring the fallen.

—The Economist

especially : one involving many different people or groups who travel down a street usually on foot or in vehicles (such as floats)

Pinta and her family planned the parade that featured more than 90 groups, organizations and politicians.

—Windy City Times (Chicago)

Approximately 50 parade entries include marching bands, celebrities, community groups, public officials and fire/police vehicles.

—Ivy Weiss

… over 25,000 people dress extravagantly, from colorful bikinis with feathers to … gowns, while performing in steel bands and dance groups on the elaborately decorated floats that form the official parade.

—Marthe van der Wolf

The parade will feature spectacular flower-covered floats with riders in colorful costumes, beautiful dresses and striking uniforms.

—San Antonio Magazine

b

: a usually long series of people or things

The prosecution called a parade of witnesses to the stand.

The movie does have one campy casting conceit: a parade of cameos by stars of old TV Western series …

—David Hiltbrand

Our antipasto was a parade of little dishes containing black olives, fresh sheep cheeses, … and prosciutto.

—Robert Riche

(British) … went to see the new street art, which is on the … end of a parade of shops …

—Tim Lewis

2

a

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

Handcrafted reproductions of miniature 18th-century tin soldiers, … these Austrian horsemen assume dramatic poses of battle and parade.

—The Smithsonian Catalog

b

: a place where troops assemble regularly for parade

3

: a pompous show : exhibition

… a ball is no longer a formal dance; it is more of a parade of extravagant costumes …

—Quentin Crisp

The male booby may walk around using exaggerated, deliberate-looking leg movements, displaying his bright-blue legs and feet. Actually his parade is closer to the pick 'em up and put 'em down gait of … scuba divers.

—Michael H. Robinson

4

a

: a place for strolling (such as a public walk or square)

b

: those who promenade

Synonyms of parade

• procession

Examples of parade in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Putin was also at the parade, with the three leaders showcasing an unprecedented show of unity. —Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 8 June 2026

The Zoo will offer special entertainment programming such as concerts, dance competitions, trampoline shows, parades featuring life-size animal puppets and acrobats and interactive presentations on animals from around the world. —Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2026

This year’s parade grand marshals were Susan Goedke and spouse Christine (Chris) Woodard of Mundelein, founders of Mundelein Pride. —Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026

Williamson said the parade had already begun when organizers were alerted to a group of seven or eight men dressed in red and black who were carrying a swastika flag and shouting antisemitic, racist and anti-LGBTQ slurs. —Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 8 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing parade

• hit parade
• identification parade
• identity parade
• on parade
• parade ground(s)
• rain on someone's parade
• ticker-tape parade

Rhymes for parade

• afraid
• allayed
• arcade
• arrayed
• assayed
• barmaid
• betrayed
• blockade
• bridesmaid
• brigade
• brocade
• buffeted

Kids Definition

parade

1 of 2 noun

pa·​rade pə-ˈrād 

1

: great show or display

2

: a formation of a body of troops before a superior officer

3

: a public procession

4

: a crowd of strolling people

the Easter parade

parade

2 of 2 verb

paraded; parading

1

a

: to cause to march

b

: to march in a parade

2

: promenade entry 2

3

: show off sense 1

parade one's knowledge

parader noun