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

• parade
• presentation
• panorama

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

Ghosts and fairies and creatures of her own invention abounded in the pageant. —Daniella Walsh, Oc Register, 10 July 2025

The park requires permits for a number of other activities, including: Memorial services, pageants, spectator attractions, entertainment, ceremonies, automobile/motorcycle club rallies, and other special events require a special use permit. —Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 9 July 2025

Others wrote about specific travel highlights, including private dining with dignitaries at a camel beauty pageant in Abu Dhabi. —Heather Richardson, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025

Weeks leading up to Independence Day are jam-packed with various events such as a pageant contest, field day, carnival, concerts, and more. —Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 4 July 2025

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