ceremony
noun
cer·e·mo·ny
ˈser-ə-ˌmō-nē 
ˈse-rə-
plural ceremonies
1
: a formal act or series of acts prescribed by ritual, protocol, or convention
the marriage ceremony
2
a
: a conventional act of politeness or etiquette
the ceremony of introduction
b
: an action performed only formally with no deep significance
The custom had probably been long a mere ceremony …—
C. Thirlwall
C. Thirlwall
c
: a routine action performed with elaborate pomp
… the opening bell [of the New York Stock Exchange] is still an important daily ceremony, attracting corporate chiefs and celebrities.—John Carney
John Carney3
a
: prescribed procedures : usages
the ceremony attending an inauguration
b
: observance of an established code of civility or politeness
opened the door without ceremony and strode in
Examples of ceremony in a Sentence
There will be a ceremony honoring the town's veterans next week.
With great ceremony, the children presented each of the visitors with a gift.
He told them abruptly and without ceremony that they would have to leave.
Recent Examples on the Web
Flags for the European Union members stand during a ceremony to lay a cornerstone for the new European Central Bank (ECB) headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany.
—Hugh Leask,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 15 Dec. 2025
Machado, this year’s Nobel Peace Prize recipient, escaped from her home country to Oslo, Norway, where the prize ceremony was held on Wednesday.
—Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 14 Dec. 2025
Naturally, the town shines extra brightly during the holidays, beginning with a tree lighting ceremony accompanied by ballerinas and carolers.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 14 Dec. 2025
The news comes more than six months after the couple tied the knot in a private ceremony in Montecito, California.
—Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 13 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ceremony
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Hugh Leask,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 15 Dec. 2025
Machado, this year’s Nobel Peace Prize recipient, escaped from her home country to Oslo, Norway, where the prize ceremony was held on Wednesday.
—Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 14 Dec. 2025
Naturally, the town shines extra brightly during the holidays, beginning with a tree lighting ceremony accompanied by ballerinas and carolers.
—Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 14 Dec. 2025
The news comes more than six months after the couple tied the knot in a private ceremony in Montecito, California.
—Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 13 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ceremony
Cite this Entry
“Ceremony.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ceremony. Accessed 15 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ceremony
noun
cer·e·mo·ny
ˈser-ə-ˌmō-nē
plural ceremonies
1
: a formal act or series of acts performed in some regular way according to fixed rules
graduation ceremonies
2
: very polite behavior : formality
dined without ceremony
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