pageant

noun

pag·​eant ˈpa-jənt 

1

a

: 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

• cavalcade

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

Lensed by Tina Barney, the shoot depicts Ratajkowski in a beauty pageant. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 2 Nov. 2024

That’s why Elle’s character and Pete Seeger, Edward’s character, and Joan Baez, of course, and many others are more than just passing through in a kind of Hall of Presidents pageant. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 8 Oct. 2024

The pageants are linked, with the Miss America winner going on and represent the U.S. in the global Miss World. —Kimberlee Speakman, Peoplemag, 17 Sep. 2024

Kelly Ripa as a Toddlers & Tiaras contestant In 2011, Ripa hilariously dressed as a pint-sized pageant queen from Toddlers & Tiaras for Halloween. —Kate Hogan, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pagyn, padgeant, literally, scene of a play, from Anglo-French pagine, pagent, from Medieval Latin pagina, perhaps from Latin, page

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

pageant

noun

pag·​eant ˈpaj-ənt 

1

: an impressive exhibition or spectacle

2

: an entertainment consisting of scenes based on history or legend