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 Arsia Mons volcano is of particular interest to NASA because the agency spotted holes in the shield where the volcanic ceiling had collapsed, leaving skylights behind and revealing a vast tunnel network within.
—
Tom Brown, Space.com, 25 May 2026
All of the rooms will feature art, warm color tones, floor-to-ceiling windows and integrated technology, with full room service available.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
The state has chosen the floor of disaster as the ceiling of safe harbor.
—Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
The restaurant is flashier and more glamorous than the original, with moody black floors, discreetly spotlit tables, mirrored ceilings, and walls leafed in living greenery.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ceiling
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Tom Brown, Space.com, 25 May 2026
All of the rooms will feature art, warm color tones, floor-to-ceiling windows and integrated technology, with full room service available.
—R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
The state has chosen the floor of disaster as the ceiling of safe harbor.
—Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
The restaurant is flashier and more glamorous than the original, with moody black floors, discreetly spotlit tables, mirrored ceilings, and walls leafed in living greenery.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ceiling
Cite this Entry
“Ceiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ceiling. Accessed 27 May. 2026.
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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