ceiling

1 of 2

noun

ceil·​ing ˈsē-liŋ 

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

: absolute ceiling

b

: service ceiling

5

: an upper usually prescribed limit

a ceiling on prices, rents, and wages

ceilinged

ˈsē-liŋd 

adjective

ceiling

2 of 2

present participle of ceil

Synonyms of ceiling

Noun

• limit
• limitation
• confines
• boundary
• end

Examples of ceiling in a Sentence

Noun

The house has low ceilings.

The airplane has a ceiling of 32,000 feet.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Rooms Faraway Sag Harbor has 67 guest rooms and suites, including a handful of lofts with double-height ceilings. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Sep. 2026

Guests begin to check in before all the rooms are ready and late deliveries, holes in the ceiling, and complaining guests threaten to derail the opening. — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2026

The main living and dining room has floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the reserve, with the five en-suite bedrooms branching off from the central living spaces. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 29 Sep. 2026

Four livestream cameras tucked in the ceiling and not noticeable to the audience follow Olesen. — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English celing, from celen

First Known Use

Noun

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing ceiling

• absolute ceiling
• cathedral ceiling
• glass ceiling
• go through the ceiling
• hit the ceiling
• service ceiling
• sub-ceiling

Rhymes for ceiling

• dealing
• feeling
• healing
• heeling
• keeling
• kneeling
• pealing
• peeling
• reeling
• sealing
• squealing
• stealing

Kids 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