ceiling

ceil·ing

noun \ˈsē-liŋ\

Definition of CEILING

1

a : the overhead inside lining of a room

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>

— ceil·inged \-liŋd\ adjective

Examples of CEILING

1. The house has low ceilings.
2. The airplane has a ceiling of 32,000 feet.

Origin of CEILING

Middle English celing, from celen

First Known Use: 1535

Related to CEILING

Synonyms

bound, boundary, cap, limit, confines, end, extent, limitation, line, termination

Related Words

extremity, fag end, terminus; border, brim, edge, margin, rim, verge; outside; bar, barrier, fence, hedge, restraint, stop, wall

Other Aeronautics/Aerospace Terms

airway, apron, corridor, dirigible, fishtail, flat-hat, vector

Rhymes with CEILING

dealing, Ealing, feeling, peeling, wheeling

ceiling

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Overhead surface of a room, and the underside of a floor or roof. Suspended ceilings, which hang from the beams above, are used to conceal construction, mechanical equipment, wiring, and light fixtures. During the Renaissance, ceilings were often coffered (see coffer), vaulted (see vault), or transformed into one large framed painting.