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

Princess Kate's holiday concert is also being celebrated with 15 community carol services across the U.K. during December, and the Westminster Abbey pageantry will later be broadcast as part of the Royal Carols: Together at Christmas special airing on ITV1 and ITVX on Christmas Eve. —Janine Henni, People.com, 6 Dec. 2024

Beyond the pageantry, new matchups and varied backdrops will make for a season ripe for travel snafus and lessons learned. —Audrey Snyder, The Athletic, 12 Aug. 2024

Indeed, the vote depicted in Conclave is a highly choreographed affair involving pageantry, secret ballots — and plenty of backstabbing. —Eric Andersson, People.com, 26 Oct. 2024

The pageantry of a ’90s teen comedy cannot be ignored. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 23 Oct. 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