pavilion

1 of 2

noun

pa·​vil·​ion pə-ˈvil-yən How to pronounce pavilion (audio)
1
a
: a large often sumptuous tent
the white pavilions of the Turkish irregular cavalryA. H. Layard
b
: something resembling a canopy or tent
tree ferns spread their delicate pavilionsBlanche E. Baughan
2
a
: a part of a building projecting from the rest
… rang the bell of the little pavilionGertrude Stein
b
: one of several detached or semidetached units into which a building is sometimes divided
3
a
: a usually open sometimes ornamental structure in a garden, park, or place of recreation that is used for entertainment or shelter
a dance pavilion
a band pavilion
b
: a temporary structure erected at an exposition by an individual exhibitor
visited the Chinese pavilion at the international exposition
4
: the lower faceted part of a brilliant below the girdle (see girdle entry 1 sense 2) see brilliant illustration

pavilion

2 of 2

verb

pavilioned; pavilioning; pavilions

transitive verb

: to furnish or cover with or put in a pavilion

Examples of pavilion in a Sentence

Noun The World's Fair had numerous pavilions. the park's pavilions may be rented for wedding receptions and other social gatherings
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Meanwhile, Creation Africa, an initiative led by France’s department of foreign affairs to foster collaboration between France and Africa, has a pavilion at Series Mania’s industry event Forum, where African delegations will have a dedicated space to host their meetings. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 Mar. 2024 The centerpiece is a grand hall housing pavilions featuring all the Russian regions, including five illegally annexed from Ukraine. Valerie Hopkins, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024 The focal point of the terraced backyard is a massive, heated infinity pool, along with a jacuzzi and a shade pavilion. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2024 And music by Philip Glass filled a pavilion by Roy Lichtenstein. Ali Martin, The Christian Science Monitor, 13 Mar. 2024 Her father, who died of a heart attack in 2013, was a commercial roofing contractor whose projects included building pavilions outside the rides at Universal Studios. Amy Kaufman, Los Angeles Times, 29 Feb. 2024 Four Seasons Hotel Boston has a lovely spa and wellness pavilion with a heated indoor pool and on-site dining with views of the Boston Public Garden at Aujourd'hui Lounge. Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 12 Feb. 2024 The 9,300-square-foot home, about 7 miles northwest of downtown and another five miles from the prestigious Austin Country Club, presides over nearly half an acre of gated and secured grounds—there’s even a security pavilion just outside the entry gates—with about 115 feet of shoreline. Mark David, Robb Report, 27 Feb. 2024 Lost children will be taken to the Guest Services Office located in the pavilion, in the Northwest corner of the building. Kira Caspers, The Arizona Republic, 26 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English pavilloun, pavillioun, from Anglo-French, from Latin papilion-, papilio butterfly; perhaps akin to Old High German fīfaltra butterfly

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pavilion was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near pavilion

Cite this Entry

“Pavilion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pavilion. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pavilion

noun
pa·​vil·​ion
pə-ˈvil-yən
1
: a usually large tent with a peaked or rounded top
2
: a lightly constructed building serving as a shelter in a park, garden, or athletic field
3
: a part of a building that extends from the main part
4
: a building partly or completely detached from the main building or group of buildings
Etymology

Noun

Middle English pavillioun "a large decorated tent," from early French pavillioun "tent," from Latin papilion-, papilio "butterfly"

Word Origin
The Latin word papilio meant "butterfly." In a later stage of Latin, papilio also came to be used to mean "a tent." This probably happened because the top of a colorful tent looked like the spread wings of a butterfly. This meaning was borrowed into early French as pavillioun. Later, the French word came into English and is now spelled pavilion. Over the years, pavilion acquired additional meanings in English, all having to do with a building of some kind. But a large and richly decorated tent—as colorful as a butterfly—is still sometimes called a pavilion.

Medical Definition

pavilion

noun
pa·​vil·​ion pə-ˈvil-yən How to pronounce pavilion (audio)
1
: pinna
2
: a detached or semidetached part of a hospital devoted to a special use
a maternity pavilion
a nuclear medicine pavilion

More from Merriam-Webster on pavilion

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