ceiling

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

Synonyms

• limit
• limitation
• confines
• boundary
• end

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

This stealthy switch to short-term debt puts a ceiling on long-term yields. —Brett Owens, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025

With huge question marks around Elias Pettersson and Thatcher Demko, the ceiling feels too low to compete with the real contenders in the West. —James Mirtle, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025

In 2014, vandals tried to set fire to the shul, noted for the whimsical palm trees painted on either side of the ark, and its ceiling, which resembles a starry night. —Larry Luxner, Sun Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025

The new look includes ice cream wallpaper, a waffle cone-like ceiling, a red brick dairy case and black-and-gold touches throughout the store evoking the Oberweis super premium ice cream containers. —Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English celing, from celen

First Known Use

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