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
The low, powerful finish from the edge of the box to beat Italy in the Under-21 Euros this summer was another example of his high ceiling in the final third.
—
Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
The river vessels’ Skylight Infinite Balcony Suites, for example, will feature the retractable windows that transform part of the cabin into a balcony, along with a ceiling window.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
That means floor-to-ceiling glass that can slide down at the push of a button, blurring the line between indoors and outdoors.
—David Nikel, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
The apartment is a dream, with soaring ceilings, a kitchen co-designed by Vongrichten and a private terrace with sweeping views of the city below.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ceiling
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Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025
The river vessels’ Skylight Infinite Balcony Suites, for example, will feature the retractable windows that transform part of the cabin into a balcony, along with a ceiling window.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
That means floor-to-ceiling glass that can slide down at the push of a button, blurring the line between indoors and outdoors.
—David Nikel, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
The apartment is a dream, with soaring ceilings, a kitchen co-designed by Vongrichten and a private terrace with sweeping views of the city below.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 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 9 Sep. 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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