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
Presenting Linda with two open wounds—one in the ceiling, and one in her child’s flesh—the film suggests, with sly wit and bristling optimism, that the solutions to both problems might be one and the same.
—
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025
The maximum amount that the Oilers can pay their players next season is $104 million, the NHL's salary-cap ceiling.
—Sean Gentille, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Located on the 14th floor of 1010 Park Avenue, the 3,881-square-foot penthouse-esque apartment wraps three corners with open city views through 19 floor-to-ceiling windows that amplify the sense of light and space.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 8 Oct. 2025
That would be a boon for smaller market teams like the Brewers, but could threaten the $500 million ceiling for major markets like Los Angeles.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ceiling
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Justin Chang, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025
The maximum amount that the Oilers can pay their players next season is $104 million, the NHL's salary-cap ceiling.
—Sean Gentille, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Located on the 14th floor of 1010 Park Avenue, the 3,881-square-foot penthouse-esque apartment wraps three corners with open city views through 19 floor-to-ceiling windows that amplify the sense of light and space.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 8 Oct. 2025
That would be a boon for smaller market teams like the Brewers, but could threaten the $500 million ceiling for major markets like Los Angeles.
—Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 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 10 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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