1. a public entertainment consisting of a procession of people in elaborate costumes, or an outdoor performance of a historical scene
2. a beauty contest in which contestants are judged on appearance, talent, and personality
3. an elaborate display or ceremony

Examples

• The town held its annual Christmas pageant in the town square.
• She won the Miss America pageant last year.
• The historical pageant depicted the founding of the colony.
• Children performed in a nativity pageant at the church.
• The beauty pageant featured contestants from all fifty states.
• The medieval pageant included knights on horseback and period music.
• The coronation was a magnificent pageant watched by millions.