pavilion

1 of 2

noun

pa·​vil·​ion pə-ˈvil-yən 

1

a

: a large often sumptuous tent

… the white pavilions of the Turkish irregular cavalry.

—A. H. Layard

b

: something resembling a canopy or tent

… tree-ferns spread their delicate pavilions.

—Blanche E. Baughan

2

a

: a part of a building projecting from the rest

… rang the bell of the little pavilion …

—Gertrude Stein

b

: one of several detached or semidetached units into which a building is sometimes divided

3

a

: a usually open sometimes ornamental structure in a garden, park, or place of recreation that is used for entertainment or shelter

a dance pavilion

a band pavilion

b

: a temporary structure erected at an exposition by an individual exhibitor

visited the Chinese pavilion at the international exposition

4

: the lower faceted part of a brilliant below the girdle (see girdle entry 1 sense 2) see brilliant illustration

pavilion

2 of 2

verb

pavilioned; pavilioning; pavilions

transitive verb

: to furnish or cover with or put in a pavilion

Synonyms of pavilion

Noun

• kiosk
• casino
• alcove

Examples of pavilion in a Sentence

Noun

The World's Fair had numerous pavilions.

the park's pavilions may be rented for wedding receptions and other social gatherings

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Cast a line off the fishing pier, launch a canoe, or pack a picnic to enjoy under a pavilion. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 15 Dec. 2025

At the time of purchase, the home also included a swimming pool, pool pavilion, gardens and a tennis court on a lot across the street. —Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 15 Dec. 2025

On Monday, the group lit a large symbolic menorah, singing songs about peace as floral arrangements lay piled in the center of the pavilion. —Leora Arnowitz, USA Today, 15 Dec. 2025

The Japanese Tea Garden is a peaceful retreat with koi ponds, a Japanese-style pavilion, and lush greenery. —Kat Stinson, Travel + Leisure, 11 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English pavilloun, pavillioun, from Anglo-French, from Latin papilion-, papilio butterfly; perhaps akin to Old High German fīfaltra butterfly

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pavilion

• castilian
• civilian
• cotillion
• postilion
• quadrillion
• reptilian
• vermilion
• vermillion
• billion
• million
• pillion
• trillion

Kids Definition

pavilion

noun

pa·​vil·​ion

pə-ˈvil-yən

1

: a usually large tent with a peaked or rounded top

2

: a lightly constructed building serving as a shelter in a park, garden, or athletic field

3

: a part of a building that extends from the main part

4

: a building partly or completely detached from the main building or group of buildings

Etymology

Noun

Middle English pavillioun "a large decorated tent," from early French pavillioun "tent," from Latin papilion-, papilio "butterfly"

Word Origin

The Latin word papilio meant "butterfly." In a later stage of Latin, papilio also came to be used to mean "a tent." This probably happened because the top of a colorful tent looked like the spread wings of a butterfly. This meaning was borrowed into early French as pavillioun. Later, the French word came into English and is now spelled pavilion. Over the years, pavilion acquired additional meanings in English, all having to do with a building of some kind. But a large and richly decorated tent—as colorful as a butterfly—is still sometimes called a pavilion.

Medical Definition

pavilion

noun

pa·​vil·​ion pə-ˈvil-yən 

1

: pinna

2

: a detached or semidetached part of a hospital devoted to a special use

a maternity pavilion

a nuclear medicine pavilion