What does "parade" mean?
An organized display of a group of people, particularly; Synonym of military parade: A show of troops, an assembly of troops as a show of force, to receive orders, or especially for inspection at set times.
Parade
/pəˈɹeɪd/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: An organized display of a group of people, particularly; Synonym of military parade: A show of troops, an assembly of troops as a show of force, to receive orders, or especially for inspection at set times.
- Grammar: parade is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: advertise, affect, air, airing.
- Useful contrasts: conceal, concealment, discretion.
- Usage evidence: I hope you will join us in the parade and march along the street.
How to use "parade"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "parade" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "parade" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "parade" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "parade" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "parade" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "advertise" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "parade", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 An organized display of a group of people, particularly; Synonym of military parade: A show of troops, an assembly of troops as a show of force, to receive orders, or especially for inspection at set times. countable, uncountable
"There is left round about the circuit of the whole quarter, a parallell on all sides some 200, or 250 foote betweene the front of the quarter and the trench, called an Alarme Place, for the souldiers to draw out into Armes, into Parade, or when any Alarme or commotion happens..."
- 2 Synonym of parry in both its literal and figurative senses. uncommon
"...in case the adversary after a finda, going to the parade, discover his brest to caveat..."
- 3 a visible display wordnet
- 4 An organized display of a group of people, particularly; A public procession, especially one commemorating a holiday or special event or (dated) in protest. countable, uncountable
"They went up with a Parade of 9 or 10 Coaches."
- 5 a ceremonial procession including people marching wordnet
Show 12 more definitions
- 6 An organized display of a group of people, particularly; Synonym of gaggle: A group of geese when on the move, particularly a line of goslings shepherded by one or more adults. countable, uncommon, uncountable
- 7 an extended (often showy) succession of persons or things wordnet
- 8 An organized display of a group of people, particularly; Synonym of herd: A group of elephants when on the move. countable, uncommon, uncountable
- 9 A place reserved for such displays, particularly; Synonym of parade ground: A place specially designated for such displays or for practicing close-order drills. countable, uncommon, uncountable
"Parade, is a Military word, signifying the Place where Troops usually draw together, in order to mount the Guards, or for any other Service."
- 10 A place reserved for such displays, particularly; Synonym of promenade: A route, street, or square frequented by pedestrians or formerly used for military parades. countable, dated, uncountable
"This Square is calcled the Parade."
- 11 A place reserved for such displays, particularly; Synonym of road, used in place names. countable, uncommon, uncountable
"His shop is located in Chester Pde."
- 12 The people who make up such a display, particularly countable, uncountable
"While my mother and sisters decorated our sukkah and cooked meals for the parade of guests who would soon come to visit, my father would walk the streets of our neighborhood, shopping for the "Four Species""
- 13 The people who make up such a display, particularly; The body of soldiers thus assembled. countable, uncommon, uncountable
"The Commanding Officer is then to direct the Parade to Order Arms."
- 14 The people who make up such a display, particularly; The body of promenaders thus assembled. countable, uncountable
"We saw a great Parade or kind of Meeting."
- 15 Synonym of show: any similarly orderly or ostentatious display, especially of a variety of people or a series of things paraded around. countable, figuratively, uncountable
"...the ravishing assault of a well-disciplined diction, in a parade of curiosly-mustered words in their several ranks and files..."
- 16 A row of shops beside a street. UK, countable, figuratively, uncommon, uncountable
"Most new shopping centres... have broken away from the old strip parades which usually face each other across heavy inter-town traffic."
- 17 Ellipsis of programme parade: a description of the programming schedule formerly announced on the radio and various television channels. UK, abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, figuratively, uncommon, uncountable
"Scottish Programme Parade"
Verb
- 1 To take part in a parade; To assemble for inspection, to receive orders, etc. intransitive
"... the other three Companies were ordained by foure a clocke afternoone, to parade in the Market place, and afterwards to march to their Post..."
- 2 march in a procession in a public place wordnet
- 3 To take part in a parade; To march impressively or ostentatiously. intransitive
"Here it was we made our camp, within plain view of Stirling Castle, whence we could hear the drums beat as some part of the garrison paraded."
- 4 walk ostentatiously wordnet
- 5 To take part in a parade; To march past. intransitive, transitive
"After the field show, it is customary to parade the stands before exiting the field."
Show 7 more definitions
- 6 To take part in a parade; To march through or along. intransitive, transitive
"“What a delightful place Bath is,” said Mrs. Allen as they sat down near the great clock, after parading the room till they were tired;"
- 7 To take part in a parade; Synonym of promenade: to walk up and down, especially in public in order to show off and be seen by others. figuratively, intransitive
"The whole family paraded it together."
- 8 To take part in a parade; To move slowly through or among. figuratively, intransitive, transitive
"That evening the van of the Party for the Poor also paraded our street. They too blared music and made identical claims."
- 9 To take part in a parade; To walk in a row led by one parent, often trailed by the other. figuratively, intransitive
"Nearer to the water pink-footed geese and white-faced coots paraded in the groves of rhus and bamboo."
- 10 To cause to take part in a parade, particularly; To assemble soldiers for inspection, to receive orders, etc. transitive
"In a few moments, we were paraded in the frigate’s gangway; the first lieutenant—an elderly yellow-faced officer, in an ill-cut coat and tarnished gold lace—coming up, and frowning upon us."
- 11 To cause to take part in a parade, particularly; Synonym of show off: to display or reveal prominently or ostentatiously, especially in a kind of procession. figuratively, transitive
"... For she was not a sentimental mourner, Parading all her sensibility..."
- 12 To furnish with a parade or parades. obsolete, transitive
"The modern part that faces the sea is... paraded, well lighted, well drained."
Antonyms
Example
"I hope you will join us in the parade and march along the street."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "parade"?
Common synonyms include: advertise, affect, air, airing, alameda, amble.
How do you use "parade" in a sentence?
I hope you will join us in the parade and march along the street.
How do you pronounce "parade"?
Pronounced /pəˈɹeɪd/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From French parade (“an ostentatious display, a military display”), from parer (“to beautify, prepare, take pride in”) + -ade probably under influence from earlier Italian parata (“preparation, a military parade, an ostentatious display”) and Latin magnō parātū (“with great preparation”). Various senses similarly influenced by earlier French and Italian uses. Doublet of pare.
Etymology 2
From French parade (“a parry”), from parer (“to parry, to defend oneself”) + -ade, from Italian parata. Doublet of parry.