pa·rade (pə-rād')
n.

1. 1. An organized public procession on a festive or ceremonial occasion.
   2. The participants in such a procession.
2. 1. A regular place of assembly for reviews of troops. Also called parade ground.
   2. A ceremonial review of troops.
   3. The troops taking part in such a review.
3. A line or extended group of moving persons or things: a parade of strollers on the mall.
4. An extended, usually showy succession: a parade of fads and styles.
5. An ostentatious show; an exhibition: make a parade of one's talents. See synonyms at display.
6. A public square or promenade.

v., -rad·ed, -rad·ing, -rades.

v.intr.

1. To take part in a parade; march in a public procession: The circus performers and animals paraded down Main Street.
2. To assemble for a ceremonial military review or other exercise.
3. To stroll in public, especially so as to be seen; promenade.
4. To behave so as to attract attention; show off.

v.tr.

1. To cause to take part in a parade: paraded the floats past city hall.
2. To assemble (troops) for a ceremonial review.
3. To march or walk through or around: parade the campus.
4. To exhibit ostentatiously; flaunt: paraded their wealth. See synonyms at show.

[Probably French, action of stopping a horse, from Old Spanish parada, from Vulgar Latin *parāta, from feminine past participle of Latin parāre, to prepare.]

parader pa·rad'er n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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