pageants
/ˈpeɪ.dʒənts/
NOUN
1. Competitions based on appearance or talent
Contests in which participants compete to be selected as the most attractive, talented, or otherwise outstanding according to established judging criteria.
1.1. Beauty competitions
Organized contests in which participants are evaluated on physical appearance, presentation, personality, and other qualities.
Synonyms
- beauty contests
- beauty competitions
Examples
- Local beauty pageants attract contestants from many different communities.
- She participated in several regional pageants before entering the national competition.
Related Words
- contests
- competitions
- talent shows
- modeling competitions
- showcases
1.2. Talent competitions
Organized contests in which participants demonstrate and compete with their abilities in areas such as music, dance, acting, or public performance.
Synonyms
- talent contests
- talent competitions
Examples
- The school hosted annual talent pageants to showcase students' abilities.
- Young performers gathered for the regional talent pageants.
Related Words
- performances
- auditions
- showcases
- recitals
- competitions
NOUN
2. Elaborate public displays and processions
Public presentations featuring elaborate costumes, decorations, performances, or historical scenes, often organized as part of a celebration or parade.
2.1. Historical and traditional processions
Public parades in which participants wear historical or traditional costumes and present scenes representing cultural events or historical periods.
Synonyms
- processions
- parades
- cavalcades
Examples
- The town's annual pageants featured historical costumes and traditional music.
- Colorful pageants celebrated the region's cultural heritage.
Related Words
- reenactments
- celebrations
- festivals
- costume displays
- ceremonies
2.2. Elaborate public exhibitions
Large or impressive public displays designed to present objects, performances, scenes, or activities to an audience.
Synonyms
- displays
- exhibitions
- presentations
- shows
- spectacles
Examples
- The cultural pageants attracted visitors with elaborate costumes and artistic displays.
- The festival included several pageants showcasing traditional crafts and performances.
Related Words
- expositions
- demonstrations
- extravaganzas
- productions
- performances
2.3. Theatrical and dramatic presentations
Staged performances that portray stories, historical events, or symbolic scenes through acting, costumes, and dramatic arrangements.
Synonyms
- dramatizations
- dramas
- plays
- performances
- productions
Examples
- The school organized historical pageants depicting important events from the country's past.
- The religious pageants presented biblical stories through dramatic performances.
Related Words
NOUN
3. Spectacular ceremonies
Impressive formal occasions characterized by elaborate rituals, decorations, performances, and ceremonial displays.
3.1. Grand ceremonial occasions
Formal public events marked by elaborate arrangements, traditional costumes, symbolic rituals, and impressive displays.
Synonyms
- spectacles
- ceremonies
- celebrations
- extravaganzas
Examples
- The royal pageants attracted thousands of spectators.
- The national celebrations included ceremonial pageants and traditional performances.
Related Words
NOUN
4. Mobile platforms for theatrical performances
Wheeled platforms or stages used to present plays and dramatic scenes, particularly in historical public festivals and religious processions.
4.1. Wheeled theatrical stages
Movable platforms used by actors to perform plays or dramatic scenes during public celebrations and processions.
Synonyms
- pageant wagons
- mobile stages
Examples
- Medieval pageants were sometimes performed on wheeled platforms that moved through the streets.