ceiling

1 of 2

noun

ceil·​ing ˈsē-liŋ 

1

a

: the overhead inside lining of a room

The room has a high ceiling.

b

: material used to ceil a wall or roof of a room

2

: something thought of as an overhanging shelter or a lofty canopy

a ceiling of stars

3

a

: the height above the ground from which prominent objects on the ground can be seen and identified

b

: the height above the ground of the base of the lowest layer of clouds when over half of the sky is obscured

4

a

: absolute ceiling

b

: service ceiling

5

: an upper usually prescribed limit

a ceiling on prices, rents, and wages

ceilinged

ˈsē-liŋd 

adjective

ceiling

2 of 2

present participle of ceil

Synonyms of ceiling

Noun

• limit
• limitation
• confines
• boundary
• end

Examples of ceiling in a Sentence

Noun

The house has low ceilings.

The airplane has a ceiling of 32,000 feet.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Following a recent $40 million facelift, the hotel has clean, modern lines—now outfitted with floor-to-ceilings windows and bronze and nickel accents. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Nov. 2026

Death row, a cavernous hull of a building with multiple stories of concrete cells reaching up toward a ceiling so decrepit that birds roosted inside, was transformed. — Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026

According to a 1972 New York Times profile of the artist, her 6,833-square-foot home had 30-foot-tall ceilings and an Andy Warhol tapestry of Marilyn Monroe. — Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 10 Nov. 2026

Mariah's posture was almost too good, reaching with the crown of her head toward the ceiling. — CBS News, 10 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English celing, from celen

First Known Use

Noun

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing ceiling

• absolute ceiling
• cathedral ceiling
• glass ceiling
• go through the ceiling
• hit the ceiling
• service ceiling
• sub-ceiling

Rhymes for ceiling

• dealing
• feeling
• healing
• heeling
• keeling
• kneeling
• pealing
• peeling
• reeling
• sealing
• squealing
• stealing

Kids Definition

ceiling

noun

ceil·​ing ˈsē-liŋ 

1

: the overhead inside lining of a room

2

: something that hangs over or is above

3

: the height above the ground of the base of the lowest layer of clouds when over half of the sky is hidden by clouds

4

: the greatest height at which an airplane can operate efficiently

5

: an upper usually prescribed limit

a ceiling on prices