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noun Uncommon

pageant

PAD-zhuhnt

Pageant (noun) means an elaborate public show or performance, often involving costumes and a procession, sometimes a beauty competition. Example: “The town holds a historical pageant every summer.”

noun
1
An elaborate public show or performance, often involving costumes and a procession, sometimes a beauty competition.
"The town holds a historical pageant every summer."
"She competed in a beauty pageant as a teenager."

How to use pageant

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA grand, showy public performance or competition, often with costumes and staged spectacle.

Common pairings
beauty pageant historical pageant

Word forms

pageanted past tense, pageants singular

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Test yourself on “pageant” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The town holds a historical _____ every summer.

Etymology

From Medieval Latin pagina, referring to a play performed as part of a cycle of religious mystery plays in the Middle Ages.

Origin: Medieval Latin

Related words

Rhymes for pageant

See all rhymes for pageant →

Frequently asked questions

What does “pageant” mean?

The word “pageant” means an elaborate public show or performance, often involving costumes and a procession, sometimes a beauty competition. In plain terms, a grand, showy public performance or competition, often with costumes and staged spectacle.

How do you pronounce “pageant”?

“Pageant” is pronounced PAD-zhuhnt (/ˈpæd͡ʒənt/ in IPA).

How do you use “pageant” in a sentence?

Here is “pageant” used in a sentence: “The town holds a historical pageant every summer.”

What part of speech is “pageant”?

“Pageant” is a noun.

Where does the word “pageant” come from?

The word “pageant” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin pagina, referring to a play performed as part of a cycle of religious mystery plays in the Middle Ages.

Is “pageant” a common word?

“Pageant” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial