1
a
: a mere show : pretense
b
: an ostentatious display
2
: 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
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
Their work included filming weddings, dance performances, theatrical productions and local pageants at venues throughout San Diego County.
—
Elizabeth Marie Himchak, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
There were also opportunities to secure unique stage props, artwork and costumes from previous pageant shows at the Bizarre Bazaar.
—Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026
The former Miss Universe 2023 contestant recently joined Almost Honest podcast host and Miss International 2016, Kylie Verzosa, to talk about their hopes for the future of the Miss Universe pageant and why they’ve been disappointed with it as of late.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 10 Jan. 2026
The musical dramedy stars Wong as Nathan, who enters Canada’s first-ever Asian male beauty pageant in hopes of making it in the entertainment biz.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pageant
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Cite this Entry
“Pageant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pageant. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
Kids Definition
pageant
noun
pag·eant
ˈpaj-ənt 
1
: an impressive exhibition or spectacle
2
: an entertainment consisting of scenes based on history or legend
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