pageant

noun

pag·eant ˈpa-jənt

Synonyms of pageant

: a mere show : pretense

: an ostentatious display

: 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

: pageantry sense 1

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Then, there’s Miss Israel 2026 Danielle Yablonka, a Miami native who has moved to Israel, according to the pageant’s website. — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 3 Aug. 2026 Brynn Carnesecca was crowned Miss American Fork (a regional pageant within the Miss America Utah pageant sphere) in 2024, and she was also given the title of Miss Congeniality while competing at last year’s Miss America Utah pageant. — Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026 There isn’t always a Jerry Dipoto to out-wacky your front office in a wacky pageant, but sometimes there is. — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 27 July 2026 The trio, each of whom has completely opposing personas, of course, set out on a road trip from New York City to Los Angeles in a vintage Cadillac to attend the Drag Queen of America pageant. — Rance Collins, Entertainment Weekly, 26 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for pageant

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of pageant was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Browse Nearby Words

Page

pageant

pageanteer

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Pageant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pageant. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pageant

noun

pag·eant ˈpaj-ənt

: an impressive exhibition or spectacle

: an entertainment consisting of scenes based on history or legend

pageant

noun

Synonyms of pageant

Examples of pageant in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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