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

But the 17 days of competition and pageantry cost far more than planned and created yet more debt as a result of big-ticket infrastructure projects designed to showcase Athens as the Games’ host. —Alan Cowell, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025

While the Indiana Fever literally rolled out the red carpet to introduce Caitlin Clark, the Sky skipped the pageantry and instead offered up an event that had all the charisma of a suburban town hall meeting. —Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 23 Dec. 2024

Every 25 years, Rome becomes the epicenter of one of the Catholic world’s most extraordinary celebrations: the Jubilee Year, a centuries-old tradition combining spirituality, pageantry, and an influx of global visitors. —Erica Firpo, AFAR Media, 20 Dec. 2024

Now, Voigt is moving on from pageantry to wedding planning. —Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 3 Dec. 2024

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