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
On shelves from floor to ceiling are mandolins in every phase of construction.
—
Tim Parks, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2026
Nikola Jokic is a big guy and Victor Wembanyama’s head can touch the ceiling.
—Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2026
Take a cue from the textiles and other colors in the room and coat the trim or ceiling in a fun color.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2026
Trump’s proposal for a 10% ceiling on credit card interest rates is the product of one such discovery.
—George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 11 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ceiling
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Tim Parks, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2026
Nikola Jokic is a big guy and Victor Wembanyama’s head can touch the ceiling.
—Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2026
Take a cue from the textiles and other colors in the room and coat the trim or ceiling in a fun color.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2026
Trump’s proposal for a 10% ceiling on credit card interest rates is the product of one such discovery.
—George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 11 Apr. 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 14 Apr. 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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