ceremony

noun

cer·​e·​mo·​ny ˈser-ə-ˌmō-nē How to pronounce ceremony (audio)
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 ceremonyC. 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
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

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 Cher had the support of some of her nearest and dearest at the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Becca Longmire, People.com, 21 Oct. 2024 During the Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Keith’s expertise as a songwriter was noted, as were his accolades from the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and the BMI Icon Award. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 21 Oct. 2024 The inductions returned to Cleveland Saturday night for a nearly five-and-a-half-hour ceremony featuring an array of music legends and current stars to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Troy Smith, Axios, 21 Oct. 2024 Liam Payne was remembered on Saturday evening during this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees’ ceremony in Cleveland, Ohio. Caroline Frost, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ceremony 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ceremony.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ceremony was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near ceremony

Cite this Entry

“Ceremony.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ceremony. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

ceremony

noun
cer·​e·​mo·​ny ˈser-ə-ˌmō-nē How to pronounce ceremony (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on ceremony

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