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
Extend your left arm toward the ceiling.
—
Mallory Creveling, Health, 22 Oct. 2025
The owner tried to raise the ceiling without getting structural engineer oversight, leading the city to post the building as dangerous for human occupancy.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
The presidential seal on the Oval Office ceiling used to be in all white, blending in with the rest of the paint.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
The private luncheon brought together leaders who’ve built empires, broken ceilings, and redefined what success looks like on their own terms.
—Essence, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ceiling
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Mallory Creveling, Health, 22 Oct. 2025
The owner tried to raise the ceiling without getting structural engineer oversight, leading the city to post the building as dangerous for human occupancy.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2025
The presidential seal on the Oval Office ceiling used to be in all white, blending in with the rest of the paint.
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
The private luncheon brought together leaders who’ve built empires, broken ceilings, and redefined what success looks like on their own terms.
—Essence, 22 Oct. 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 25 Oct. 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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