A pageant is a colourful public procession, show, or ceremony. Pageants are usually held out of doors and often celebrate events or people from history.
2. countable noun
A pageant or a beauty pageant is a competition in which young women are judged to decide which one is the most beautiful.
In August 1968 women held a demonstration at the Miss America Beauty Pageant.
More Synonyms of pageant
pageant in British English
(ˈpædʒənt)
noun
1.
an elaborate colourful parade or display portraying scenes from history, esp one involving rich costume
2.
any magnificent or showy display, procession, etc
Word origin
C14: from Medieval Latin pāgina scene of a play, from Latin: page1
pageant in American English
(ˈpædʒənt)
noun
1. Obsolete
a.
an individual scene in a medieval mystery play
b.
any of a series of movable outdoor platforms on which a mystery play was performed
2.
a spectacular exhibition, elaborate parade, etc., as a procession with floats
3.
an elaborate drama, often staged outdoors, celebrating a historical event or presenting the history of a community
4.
empty pomp or display; mere show
Word origin
ME pagent (with unhistoric -t) < earlier pagyn < Anglo-L pagina, scene displayed on a stage, stage < L, page1
Examples of 'pageant' in a sentence
pageant
Then cruise along with the river pageant and enjoy a light picnic lunch and riverside sights.
The Sun (2011)
The fuss over coverage of the jubilee river pageant shows that we still care.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The human pageant is richer still.
The Times Literary Supplement (2013)
For this former ballerina and beauty pageant winner, diversity has been the key to success.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
They wanted to borrow the putative ring of bells for the river pageant, before the bells were installed in the church.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
A Siberian jail is the last place you would expect to find a beauty pageant.
The Sun (2008)
GUESS who won't be rocking up to the jubilee pageant today?
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
These will include a river pageant of 1,000 boats sailing down the Thames.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Parts of it would have done much to improve BBC1's dire coverage of the river pageant.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Our nation has its problems but Sunday's pageant showed what we do best.
The Sun (2012)
1 (noun)
Definition
any magnificent display or procession
a traditional Christmas pageant
Synonyms
show
the Chelsea flower show
display
a dazzling dance display
parade
A glittering parade of celebrities attended the event.
ritual
spectacle
a director passionate about music and spectacle
procession
a funeral procession
extravaganza
an all-night musical extravaganza
tableau
a nativity tableau
2 (noun)
a beauty pageant with a difference
Synonyms
contest
Few contests in the recent history of British boxing have been as thrilling.
competition
There's been some fierce competition for the title.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of competition
Definition
the act of competing
There's been some fierce competition for the title.
Synonyms
rivalry,
opposition,
struggle,
contest,
contention,
strife,
emulation,
one-upmanship (informal)
in the sense of display
Definition
something displayed
a dazzling dance display
Synonyms
show,
exhibition,
demonstration,
parade,
spectacle,
pageant,
pageantry
in the sense of extravaganza
Definition
any fanciful display, literary composition, etc.
an all-night musical extravaganza
Synonyms
spectacular,
show,
spectacle,
display,
pageant,
flight of fancy
Nearby words of
pageant
paean
pagan
page
pageant
pageantry
paid
pain
Synonyms of 'pageant'
pageant
Explore 'pageant' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of parade
A glittering parade of celebrities attended the event.
Synonyms
show,
display,
exhibition,
spectacle,
array
in the sense of procession
Definition
a line of people or vehicles moving forwards in an orderly or ceremonial manner
a funeral procession
Synonyms
parade,
train,
march,
file,
column,
motorcade,
cavalcade,
cortege
in the sense of spectacle
Definition
an impressive public show
a director passionate about music and spectacle
Synonyms
show,
display,
exhibition,
event,
performance,
sight,
parade,
extravaganza,
pageant
in the sense of tableau
Definition
a silent motionless group of people arranged to represent a scene from history, legend, or literature