cotillion

Cotillion is a term used for a formal social dance or ball, with roots in 18th-century European court culture and later adoption in North America. In English, cotillion has referred to both the dancing event and, in some regions, a coming‑out or debutante presentation. The word conveys a sense of ceremony, etiquette, and coordinated group dancing as a social activity.

Origins lie in the French cotillon, a festive dance at court and in salons during the 18th century; the event typically involved lively group figures and a procession. As dances and social customs spread, the cotillon evolved into a broader form of formal ball in English-speaking countries, where it sometimes became associated with debutante introductions and charitable fundraisers.

Regional variation: In the United States, cotillion often denotes a debutante ball or a charity event featuring young women being formally presented to society, sometimes after instruction in etiquette and ballroom dancing. In Britain and other Commonwealth countries, cotillon can simply mean a formal dance or ball and may preserve more traditional dance forms such as quadrilles and waltzes.

Etiquette and format: Cotillion events typically include guided dances, a scheduled order of figures, and a formal opening. Attire is usually formal evening wear, and participants may receive instruction in posture, etiquette, and dance steps before the event. Modern cotillions vary widely in purpose, from social clubs to fundraising balls to school or community programs.