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
Musselman sees a high ceiling for Ausar’s raw talent.
—
Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026
Peyton Watson’s week — A-minus Come to think of it, if there was ever a stat line that summed up Watson’s ceiling, at least from a production standpoint, Thursday might have pretty well nailed it.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026
Following a renovation project kicked off in part by falling plaster from the Senate chamber’s ceiling, Obama’s and the other senators’ red seats were swapped for simpler brown ones.
—Jack O'Connor, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
All have cozy fireplaces, soaking tubs, and floor-to-ceiling windows, creating seamless indoor-outdoor living spaces that immerse you in nature.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ceiling
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Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 24 Jan. 2026
Peyton Watson’s week — A-minus Come to think of it, if there was ever a stat line that summed up Watson’s ceiling, at least from a production standpoint, Thursday might have pretty well nailed it.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2026
Following a renovation project kicked off in part by falling plaster from the Senate chamber’s ceiling, Obama’s and the other senators’ red seats were swapped for simpler brown ones.
—Jack O'Connor, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
All have cozy fireplaces, soaking tubs, and floor-to-ceiling windows, creating seamless indoor-outdoor living spaces that immerse you in nature.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Jan. 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 28 Jan. 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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