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
Trotter’s ceiling rises if the coverage side becomes more consistent, but his floor is already an NFL run defender with the right temperament.
—
Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
Inside, the home features 10-foot coffered ceilings, white oak floors, and a kitchen with a La Cornue range and light leathered marble countertops.
—Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 14 Mar. 2026
Floor to ceiling, the space is lined with books and memories, a tribute to his late wife, Grace, who died of ovarian cancer in 2020.
—Loureen Ayyoub, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2026
The bedroom itself is a typical tiny house loft with a low ceiling and a little storage.
—Adam Williams
march 14, New Atlas, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ceiling
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Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026
Inside, the home features 10-foot coffered ceilings, white oak floors, and a kitchen with a La Cornue range and light leathered marble countertops.
—Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 14 Mar. 2026
Floor to ceiling, the space is lined with books and memories, a tribute to his late wife, Grace, who died of ovarian cancer in 2020.
—Loureen Ayyoub, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2026
The bedroom itself is a typical tiny house loft with a low ceiling and a little storage.
—Adam Williams
march 14, New Atlas, 14 Mar. 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 21 Mar. 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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