# parade

/pɝˈeɪd/ (US) · /pəɹˈeɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/parade
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. public celebration

noun · CEFR B1

a public event where people, bands, and decorated vehicles move down a street to celebrate something.

For teachers: a public procession, typically including a marching band and often floats, held in honour of a specific person, event, or holiday.

- The whole town came out to watch the Thanksgiving parade pass by.
- The victory parade wound through the city centre, drawing thousands of spectators who cheered as the athletes displayed their medals from the open-top bus.

### 2. military assembly

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

a formal gathering of soldiers for inspection or to show their skills.

For teachers: a formal assembly of troops for inspection, exercise, or display.

- The soldiers stood perfectly still during the morning parade.
- The regiment assembled on the parade ground at dawn, awaiting the arrival of the commanding officer for the annual inspection.

### 3. row of shops

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

a row of shops or stores built together in a line.

For teachers: a row of shops or commercial premises, often with a consistent architectural style.

- There is a small parade of shops near the station where you can buy a newspaper.
- The local parade includes a traditional butcher, a small post office, and a newly opened organic café that attracts the weekend crowds.

### 4. to march or walk

verb · CEFR B1

to walk in a formal way or as part of a public celebration.

For teachers: to march in a procession or to walk in a formal, public manner.

- The winning team paraded through the streets with their trophy.
- The graduates paraded into the hall, their colourful academic gowns flowing behind them as the orchestra played the processional music.

### 5. to show off

verb · CEFR B2

to show something or someone in a way that makes people notice and admire them.

For teachers: to display something or someone ostentatiously in order to attract attention or admiration.

- She paraded her new diamond ring in front of all her friends.
- The company paraded its latest technological innovations at the trade fair, hoping to secure investment for the upcoming fiscal year.

## Examples

- The city holds a big parade every year on New Year's Day.
- Thousands of people lined the main street to watch the colorful parade pass by during the festival.
- The victory parade served as both a communal celebration and a formal display of civic pride, featuring elaborate floats and local marching bands.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.