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
b
5
: an upper usually prescribed limit
a ceiling on prices, rents, and wages
Examples of ceiling in a Sentence
The house has low ceilings.
The airplane has a ceiling of 32,000 feet.
Recent Examples on the Web
But the high ceiling appeared on Wednesday in Seattle.
—
Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Hornstull Occupying the upper floor in the main house of this 1779-era property, this apartment offers remarkably high ceilings and a beautiful garden.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2025
The pads look good, too, with eye-catching, contemporary facades, floor-to-ceiling glass, luminous interiors, sculptural staircases, and generous outdoor areas.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2025
Besides its durable construction, the tiny home feels open and inviting thanks to the several floor-to-ceiling windows placed throughout.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ceiling
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Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
Hornstull Occupying the upper floor in the main house of this 1779-era property, this apartment offers remarkably high ceilings and a beautiful garden.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2025
The pads look good, too, with eye-catching, contemporary facades, floor-to-ceiling glass, luminous interiors, sculptural staircases, and generous outdoor areas.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 15 Oct. 2025
Besides its durable construction, the tiny home feels open and inviting thanks to the several floor-to-ceiling windows placed throughout.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ceiling
Cite this Entry
“Ceiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ceiling. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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