ceremony

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noun cer·e·mo·ny \ˈser-ə-ˌmō-nē, ˈse-rə-\

: a formal act or event that is a part of a social or religious occasion

: very polite or formal behavior

plural cer·e·mo·nies

Full Definition of CEREMONY

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

c :  a routine action performed with elaborate pomp

3

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>

One goose, two geese. One moose,
two... moose. What's up with that? »

Examples of CEREMONY

1. There will be a ceremony honoring the town's veterans next week.
2. With great ceremony, the children presented each of the visitors with a gift.
3. He told them abruptly and without ceremony that they would have to leave.

Origin of CEREMONY

Middle English ceremonie, from Middle French ceremonie, from Latin caerimonia

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CEREMONY

Synonyms

ceremonial, rite, form, formality, observance, ritual, solemnity

Related Words

amenities, civility, decorum, etiquette, graces, proprieties; protocol; convention, custom, habit, manners, mores, practice (also practise), standard, tradition, way; celebration, service

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

Rhymes with CEREMONY

abalone, acrimony, agrimony, Albinoni, alimony, antimony, Berlusconi, cannelloni, chalcedony, cicerone, hegemony, macaroni, matrimony, minestrone, Nakasone, one-trick pony, palimony, parsimony, patrimony, pepperoni, provolone, rigatoni, sanctimony, Shetland pony, testimony, zabaglione