English Reference
noun · verb

pavilion

n. · v.
US /pəˈvɪɫjən/ UK /pɐvˈɪliən/ pavil·ion UK spelling pavilion's, pavilion's, pavilioning

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.a light building with a roof, usually in a park or public garden, used for shelter or rest.

    n.a light, often open-sided roofed structure located in a public park or garden for recreational use.

    Simple

    We sat in the park pavilion to stay dry during the sudden rain shower.

    In context

    The Victorian pavilion in the centre of the gardens remains a popular spot for summer brass band performances.

    sheltergazebosummerhouse
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate British English Sport

    n.a building at a sports ground where players change their clothes and wait to play.

    n.a building at a sports ground, particularly for cricket, providing changing rooms and facilities for players and officials.

    Simple

    The cricket players walked back to the pavilion after the match ended.

    In context

    The historic wooden pavilion offers a panoramic view of the pitch, housing both the locker rooms and the members' dining hall.

    clubhousechanging room
  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.a large building or temporary structure used to show products or art at a fair.

    n.a large, sometimes temporary, building used for housing exhibits at a public fair, exhibition, or international expo.

    Simple

    The Italian pavilion at the world fair showed the latest car designs.

    In context

    Architects from around the world competed to design the national pavilion for the upcoming international trade expo.

  4. 04 C1 Advanced Literary

    n.a large, beautiful tent, often with a peaked roof.

    n.a large, decorative tent, historically used by royalty or for grand outdoor events.

    Simple

    The king stayed in a silk pavilion during the summer festival.

    In context

    The knights gathered beneath a crimson pavilion, its heavy fabric snapping in the wind before the tournament began.

  5. 05 C2 Proficiency Formal Medicine

    n.one of several separate buildings that make up a large hospital.

    n.one of a series of detached or semi-detached buildings forming part of a larger institution, such as a hospital.

    Simple

    The maternity ward is located in the north pavilion of the hospital.

    In context

    The hospital was designed with a pavilion layout to ensure that each ward received maximum sunlight and fresh air.

  6. 06 C2 Proficiency Technical Medicine

    n.the visible, curved part of the ear on the outside of the head.

    n.the visible cartilaginous part of the outer ear; also known as the auricle.

    Simple

    The doctor examined the pavilion of the patient's ear for signs of infection.

    In context

    The anatomical structure of the pavilion is designed to funnel sound waves into the auditory canal.

    auriclepinna
  7. 07 C2 Proficiency Literary

    v.to put someone or something inside a pavilion or to cover them with one.

    v.to furnish with or shelter within a pavilion; often used figuratively in literary contexts.

    Simple

    The garden was pavilioned with white silk for the wedding ceremony.

    In context

    The poet described the mountain peaks as being pavilioned in thick, golden clouds at sunset.


From Middle English pavilloun, from Anglo-Norman pavilloun, from Latin pāpiliōnem, form of pāpiliō (“butterfly, moth”) (due to resemblance of tent to a butterfly’s wings), of unknown origin. Doublet of papilio and papillon. Cognate to French pavillon (“pavilion”) and papillon (“butterfly”), and similar terms in other Romance languages.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin pāpiliōnem
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated