pageantry

noun

pag·​eant·​ry ˈpa-jən-trē How to pronounce pageantry (audio)
1
: pageants and the presentation of pageants
2
: colorful, rich, or splendid display : spectacle
3
: mere show : empty display

Examples of pageantry in a Sentence

I like the tradition and pageantry that come with graduations.
Recent Examples on the Web Still, there was understandable skepticism about whether the trial would be a flash in the pan that led to companies slowly ushering their staffers back into a five-day week once the pageantry ended. Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 22 Feb. 2024 But the joyousness and sense of humor in the food felt at odds with the pageantry surrounding it. Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 28 Jan. 2024 It's filled with music, pageantry, and showstopping extravaganzas. Keith Langston, EW.com, 11 Jan. 2024 The theatrical spectacle of a Sukeban event blends performance-art style choreography with comedy, pageantry, and the marvel of costumes created by designer Olympia Le-Tan and milliner Stephen Jones. Cassidy George, Vogue, 6 Dec. 2023 Naturally, fans expect pageantry, celebrity appearances, and gobs of entertainment. Dustin Nelson, EW.com, 9 Feb. 2024 There are special religious services and observances around Connecticut, but Three Kings Day is also a time for pageantry, parties and public performances. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 4 Jan. 2024 Whereas the British like to go big on the pomp and pageantry, invoking ancient symbols of power, the Danes seem to take a more businesslike approach. Karla Adam, Washington Post, 14 Jan. 2024 Samuel, who grew up in a household of faith, pokes fun at the pageantry of religion and the capriciousness of disciples with the precision of an intimate. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pageantry.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pageantry was in 1609

Dictionary Entries Near pageantry

Cite this Entry

“Pageantry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pageantry. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pageantry

noun
pag·​eant·​ry ˈpaj-ən-trē How to pronounce pageantry (audio)
plural pageantries
1
: pageants and the presentation of pageants
2
: splendid display

More from Merriam-Webster on pageantry

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!