parade
puh-RAYD
Parade (noun) means a public procession, often celebratory, held to mark an occasion. Example: “The school band led the parade down the high street.”
noun
1
A public procession, often celebratory, held to mark an occasion.
"The school band led the parade down the high street."
"Children dressed as animals joined the parade through the park."
"Thousands lined the streets for the annual carnival parade."
verb
1
To march or march something in a public, often showy, display.
"The children paraded around the playground in their costumes."
"The team paraded the trophy through the city centre."
"Soldiers paraded past the reviewing stand."
2
To display something prominently, often to show it off.
"She paraded her exam results around the office for everyone to see."
"Celebrities sometimes parade their expensive handbags on social media."
"He paraded his new watch in front of his friends."
How to use parade
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA public procession, or to march/show something off in an obvious way.
Common pairings
a military parade
parade through the streets
parade of
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Word forms
- Plural
- parades
- Third person singular
- parades
- Past tense
- paraded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The school band led the _____ down the high street.
Etymology
From French parade ("display, military review"), from parer ("to prepare, adorn") — a doublet of "pare."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for parade
See all rhymes for parade →Frequently asked questions
What does “parade” mean?
The word “parade” means a public procession, often celebratory, held to mark an occasion. In plain terms, a public procession, or to march/show something off in an obvious way.
How do you pronounce “parade”?
“Parade” is pronounced puh-RAYD (/pəˈɹeɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “parade” in a sentence?
Here is “parade” used in a sentence: “Thousands lined the streets for the annual carnival parade.”
What part of speech is “parade”?
Depending on how it is used, “parade” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “parade” come from?
The word “parade” comes from French. From French parade ("display, military review"), from parer ("to prepare, adorn") — a doublet of "pare.".
Is “parade” a common word?
“Parade” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “parade” have?
“Parade” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a public procession, often celebratory, held to mark an occasion.
What is the difference between a parade and a procession?
A parade is a public procession, often celebratory, held to mark an occasion. A procession is any group moving forward in an orderly line, which may be solemn, such as a funeral procession, rather than festive.
When is 'parade' used as a verb?
As a verb, 'parade' means to march, or to march something, in a public and often showy display, as in 'the winners paraded through town.' It can carry a sense of showing off, as in 'parading their wealth.'
What is the difference between a parade and a march?
A parade is usually festive or ceremonial and meant to be watched, while a march often has a purpose such as protest or military movement. A march emphasizes organized walking, whereas a parade emphasizes public display.
What are common types of parades?
Common examples include holiday parades, victory parades, and military parades, all held to mark an occasion. In figurative use, 'parade' can also describe any showy display, as in 'a parade of excuses.'
