Definition of parade

The word "parade" can be traced back to the French word "parader," which means "to show off" or "to display." The word was originally used in the context of military processions, where soldiers would march in formation, showing off their skills and equipment to the public. The French word "parader" likely came from the Latin word "paradeisus," which originally referred to a garden or paradise. In the Middle Ages, this word came to be associated with military encampments and training grounds, as soldiers would often gather in organized camps (paradeis) to practice their skills. The French military term "parade" spread to other European languages, including English, where it grew in popularity during the 19th century as military parades became increasingly common. Today, the word "parade" is used not only to describe military processions, but also to refer to civic celebrations, such as parades marking holidays or honoring certain achievements.