English dictionary

parades Meaning & Definition

pə-ˈrād

What Does Parades Mean?

As a noun, parades means a public procession see procession:1 usually to mark a holiday or event. It is also used to mean one involving many different people or groups who travel down a street usually on foot or in vehicles (such as floats). As a verb, it means to cause to maneuver or march.

Parades: Key Facts

Part of speech	noun, verb
Pronunciation	/pə-ˈrād/
Syllables	2
Synonyms	corteges, processions and files
Antonyms	ambles, meanders and rambles

Parades Definition (Noun)

a public procession see procession:1 usually to mark a holiday or event
a homecoming parade / … the Halloween parade is open to all city boys and girls 12 years and younger wearing costumes. … Participants will receive a free trick-or-treat bag and candy along the parade route … / May 30th was Memorial Day, when Americans remember those who died serving in the armed forces. … Soldiers and sailors marched in parades honouring the fallen.
one involving many different people or groups who travel down a street usually on foot or in vehicles (such as floats)
Pinta and her family planned the parade that featured more than 90 groups, organizations and politicians. / Approximately 50 parade entries include marching bands, celebrities, community groups, public officials and fire/police vehicles. / … over 25,000 people dress extravagantly, from colorful bikinis with feathers to … gowns, while performing in steel bands and dance groups on the elaborately decorated floats that form the official parade. / The parade will feature spectacular flower-covered floats with riders in colorful costumes, beautiful dresses and striking uniforms.
a usually long series of people or things
The prosecution called a parade of witnesses to the stand. / The movie does have one campy casting conceit: a parade of cameos by stars of old TV Western series … / Our antipasto was a parade of little dishes containing black olives, fresh sheep cheeses, … and prosciutto. / … went to see the new street art, which is on the … end of a parade of shops …
the ceremonial formation of a body of troops before a superior officer
Handcrafted reproductions of miniature 18th-century tin soldiers, … these Austrian horsemen assume dramatic poses of battle and parade.
a place where troops assemble regularly for parade
a pompous show : exhibition
… a ball is no longer a formal dance; it is more of a parade of extravagant costumes … / The male booby may walk around using exaggerated, deliberate-looking leg movements, displaying his bright-blue legs and feet. Actually his parade is closer to the pick 'em up and put 'em down gait of … scuba divers.
a place for strolling (such as a public walk or square)
those who promenade

Parades as a Verb

to cause to maneuver or march : marshal
promenade
to exhibit ostentatiously
to march in or as if in a procession
show off
masquerade
… myths which parade as modern science …

Parades in a Sentence

a homecoming parade

… the Halloween parade is open to all city boys and girls 12 years and younger wearing costumes. … Participants will receive a free trick-or-treat bag and candy along the parade route …

May 30th was Memorial Day, when Americans remember those who died serving in the armed forces. … Soldiers and sailors marched in parades honouring the fallen.

Pinta and her family planned the parade that featured more than 90 groups, organizations and politicians.

Approximately 50 parade entries include marching bands, celebrities, community groups, public officials and fire/police vehicles.

… over 25,000 people dress extravagantly, from colorful bikinis with feathers to … gowns, while performing in steel bands and dance groups on the elaborately decorated floats that form the official parade.

The parade will feature spectacular flower-covered floats with riders in colorful costumes, beautiful dresses and striking uniforms.

The prosecution called a parade of witnesses to the stand.

The movie does have one campy casting conceit: a parade of cameos by stars of old TV Western series …

Our antipasto was a parade of little dishes containing black olives, fresh sheep cheeses, … and prosciutto.

… went to see the new street art, which is on the … end of a parade of shops …

Handcrafted reproductions of miniature 18th-century tin soldiers, … these Austrian horsemen assume dramatic poses of battle and parade.

… a ball is no longer a formal dance; it is more of a parade of extravagant costumes …

The male booby may walk around using exaggerated, deliberate-looking leg movements, displaying his bright-blue legs and feet. Actually his parade is closer to the pick 'em up and put 'em down gait of … scuba divers.

… myths which parade as modern science …

a Fourth of July parade

the marching band paraded past jubilant crowds

intends to parade her expensive new dress at the party

a homecoming parade / … the Halloween parade is open to all city boys and girls 12 years and younger wearing costumes. … Participants will receive a free trick-or-treat bag and candy along the parade route … / May 30th was Memorial Day, when Americans remember those who died serving in the armed forces. … Soldiers and sailors marched in parades honouring the fallen.

Pinta and her family planned the parade that featured more than 90 groups, organizations and politicians. / Approximately 50 parade entries include marching bands, celebrities, community groups, public officials and fire/police vehicles. / … over 25,000 people dress extravagantly, from colorful bikinis with feathers to … gowns, while performing in steel bands and dance groups on the elaborately decorated floats that form the official parade. / The parade will feature spectacular flower-covered floats with riders in colorful costumes, beautiful dresses and striking uniforms.

The prosecution called a parade of witnesses to the stand. / The movie does have one campy casting conceit: a parade of cameos by stars of old TV Western series … / Our antipasto was a parade of little dishes containing black olives, fresh sheep cheeses, … and prosciutto. / … went to see the new street art, which is on the … end of a parade of shops …

… a ball is no longer a formal dance; it is more of a parade of extravagant costumes … / The male booby may walk around using exaggerated, deliberate-looking leg movements, displaying his bright-blue legs and feet. Actually his parade is closer to the pick 'em up and put 'em down gait of … scuba divers.

Word Forms & Grammar

pa·rades

parade

parade of shops

parades

pa·rad·ed

pa·rad·ing

pa·rad·er noun

paraded

parader

paraders

parading

Words That Rhyme With Parades

Origin of Parades

Origin 1: borrowed from French, "show, display (of an object to demonstrate its value), show of military force, cavalry procession," going back to Middle French, from parer "to prepare, adorn, dress (a person) with care" (going back to Old French) + -ade -ade pare

Origin 2: derivative of parade:1

First Known Use

1649

1686t

How to Pronounce Parades

Parades is pronounced /pə-ˈrād/ and has 2 syllables, with the main stress on the second syllable (rād).

Quick Answers About Parades

Is parades a noun or a verb?

Parades is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.

What is another word for parades?

Close synonyms of parades are corteges, processions and files. See the full list of parades synonyms and antonyms.