pa·vil·ion
pə-ˈvil-yən
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
pavilioned; pavilioning; pavilions
: to furnish or cover with or put in a pavilion
Cite this Entry
“Pavilion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pavilion. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
