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

Food and Drink The Rooftop Restaurant handles refined dinner with floor-to-ceiling views. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026

The Caroline Astor corner suite is a favorite for its floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Royal Bangkok Sports Club. — Condé Nast, cntraveler.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Inside the Heritage Grand Hotel, the Observer reported at the time, was a pretend Main Street, with a two-block-long domed ceiling that suggested permanent blue skies. — Tim Funk, Charlotte Observer, 6 Oct. 2026

On the second floor, a large, open room with a 12-foot-high ceiling serves as the communal living, dining and kitchen area. — Marissa Gluck, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 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