* Noun: This is the most common usage, referring to a public entertainment with a theme, often involving competitions or processions. For example: "The beauty pageant was held in the town square."
* Adjective: Used to describe something related to pageants. For example: "The pageant queen wore a dazzling gown."
* Verb: Less common, but can mean "to display ostentatiously" or "to make a showy or impressive display." For example: "The children pagented their costumes for the school play."
Therefore, you need to consider the sentence to determine the correct part of speech for "pageant."