ceil

verb \ ˈsēl \

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

Definition of ceil

1 : to furnish (something, such as a wooden ship) with a lining

2 : to furnish with a ceiling

Recent Examples of ceil from the Web

Oh, and check areas that may have been overlooked for a long time — like ceiling fans and behind your toilet, both of which can quickly wiped down, says Reichert.

— NBC News, "How to spring clean like a pro," 10 Aug. 2017
Once you’re done with the floors, a telescoping microfiber can handle furniture, countertops, ceiling fans, and other hard-to-reach areas.

— emily heller, Curbed, "Spring Cleaning 101: The best vacuums, dusters, storage bins, and more," 20 Mar. 2018
In India, doctors have been found hanging from ceiling fans.

— pamela wible, Washington Post, "What I’ve learned from my tally of 757 doctor suicides," 6 Mar. 2018
Conscious traveler bonus: With a 45,000 watt solar system, state-of-the-art LED lighting throughout, and ceiling fans using the most efficient DC technology, Little Harvest Caye is easily one of the greenest properties in the area.

— laura giannatempo, Condé Nast Traveler, "How to Rent Your Own Private Island in Belize," 14 Feb. 2018
The property’s 168 rooms has 11 1/2 -foot ceiling with views of LAX.

— nancy trejos, USA TODAY, "October roundup: The hottest new hotels," 27 Oct. 2017
In the dining room and foyer, ceiling stucco work was created from molds used in Italian palazzos.

— janet eastman, OregonLive.com, "The best oddball or adorable Oregon homes on the market (photos)," 23 Dec. 2017
That includes keeping pets, small children and other obstacles -- like ceiling fans -- out of the area.

— sandee lamotte, CNN, "The very real health dangers of virtual reality," 13 Dec. 2017
The country’s ceiling on corporate tax rates has been untouched since 2009, when the conservative government under then-President Lee Myung-bak lowered rates to 22% from 25% to help boost business investment and spur sluggish economic growth.

— kwanwoo jun, WSJ, "Tax Reform in Korea: Higher Rates to Fund a Higher Minimum Wage," 2 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ceil.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of ceil

Middle English celen, from Medieval Latin celare, caelare, perhaps from Latin caelare to carve, from caelum chisel; akin to Latin caedere to cut

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year