pavilion

1 of 2

noun

pa·​vil·​ion pə-ˈvil-yən How to pronounce pavilion (audio)
Synonyms of pavilionnext
1
a
: a large often sumptuous tent
the white pavilions of the Turkish irregular cavalry—A. H. Layard
b
: something resembling a canopy or tent
tree ferns spread their delicate pavilions—Blanche E. Baughan
2
a
: a part of a building projecting from the rest
… rang the bell of the little pavilion …—Gertrude 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

Synonyms

Noun

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
These projects included a redesign of the Rose Garden and an upgrade to the White House tennis pavilion. —Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024 Then Freeman completed the sudden detonation, following up his walk-off grand slam in Game 1 with another drive to the right-field pavilion off a full-count heater. —Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024 In that time, it’s also added a restaurant, spa, wellness pavilion, and kombucha brewery, among other amenities, for guests and investors alike. —Samuel Burke, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024 The show will also host an 800 square-foot gemstone pavilion with the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA). —Anthony Demarco, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pavilion 

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

pavie

pavilion

pavilion roof

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Pavilion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pavilion. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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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

Nglish: Translation of pavilion for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of pavilion for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pavilion

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