ceremony
noun
cer·e·mo·ny
ˈser-ə-ˌmō-nē 
ˈse-rə-
plural ceremonies
1
: a formal act or series of acts prescribed by ritual, protocol, or convention
the marriage ceremony
2
a
: a conventional act of politeness or etiquette
the ceremony of introduction
b
: an action performed only formally with no deep significance
the custom had probably been long a mere ceremony—
C. Thirlwall
C. Thirlwall
c
: a routine action performed with elaborate pomp
Liz Claiborne Inc. chief executive officer William McComb and Liz Claiborne New York creative director Isaac Mizrahi rang the closing bell [of the New York Stock Exchange], a daily ceremony they followed with the first-ever fashion show on the trading floor.—Marc Karimzadeh
Marc Karimzadeh3
a
: prescribed procedures : usages
the ceremony attending an inauguration
b
: observance of an established code of civility or politeness
opened the door without ceremony and strode in
Examples of ceremony in a Sentence
There will be a ceremony honoring the town's veterans next week.
With great ceremony, the children presented each of the visitors with a gift.
He told them abruptly and without ceremony that they would have to leave.
Recent Examples on the Web
The circular balcony, which looks down on the museum’s main lobby, is festooned with ribbons from the ceremony that took place when the Long Wharf moved from its longtime home on the loading dock to offices in the Audubon arts district.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2025
The ceremony was held under heavy security, with Iranian officials including the Parliament speaker in attendance.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025
The 2025 ceremony included a video message from President Donald Trump welcoming new citizens and urging them to preserve American culture.
—Hannah Dreyfus, AZCentral.com, 5 July 2025
Following the ceremony, guests were treated to a glamorous reception at the Shangri-La venue inside London's famed landmark, the Shard, which offers stunning views of the city.
—Sabienna Bowman, People.com, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ceremony
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Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2025
The ceremony was held under heavy security, with Iranian officials including the Parliament speaker in attendance.
—Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 July 2025
The 2025 ceremony included a video message from President Donald Trump welcoming new citizens and urging them to preserve American culture.
—Hannah Dreyfus, AZCentral.com, 5 July 2025
Following the ceremony, guests were treated to a glamorous reception at the Shangri-La venue inside London's famed landmark, the Shard, which offers stunning views of the city.
—Sabienna Bowman, People.com, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ceremony
Cite this Entry
“Ceremony.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ceremony. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ceremony
noun
cer·e·mo·ny
ˈser-ə-ˌmō-nē
plural ceremonies
1
: a formal act or series of acts performed in some regular way according to fixed rules
graduation ceremonies
2
: very polite behavior : formality
dined without ceremony
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