ceremonial

adjective

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cer·e·mo·ni·al | \ ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-əl

, ˌse-rə- \

Definition of ceremonial

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : marked by, involved in, or belonging to ceremony : stressing careful attention to form and detail ceremonial rites

2 : having no real power or influence his new position is largely ceremonial

ceremonial

noun

Definition of ceremonial (Entry 2 of 2)

: a ceremonial act, action, or system

Other Words from ceremonial Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About ceremonial

Other Words from ceremonial

Adjective

ceremonialism \ ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-ə-ˌli-zəm

, ˌse-rə- \ noun

ceremonialist \ ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-ə-list

, ˌse-rə- \ noun

ceremonially \ ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-ə-lē

, ˌse-rə- \ adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for ceremonial

Adjective

ceremonial, ceremonious, formal, conventional mean marked by attention to or adhering strictly to prescribed forms. ceremonial and ceremonious both imply strict attention to what is prescribed by custom or by ritual, but ceremonial applies to things that are associated with ceremonies a ceremonial offering , ceremonious to persons given to ceremony or to acts attended by ceremony. made his ceremonious entrance formal applies both to things prescribed by and to persons obedient to custom and may suggest stiff, restrained, or old-fashioned behavior. a formal report the headmaster's formal manner conventional implies accord with general custom and usage conventional courtesy and may suggest a stodgy lack of originality or independence. conventional fiction

Examples of ceremonial in a Sentence

Adjective The tribe has different ceremonial masks for each ceremony. His new position is largely ceremonial because all the decisions are actually made by a committee. Noun a number of religious ceremonials the funeral of a pope is usually marked by rich pageantry and elaborate ceremonials

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Because the duties have been delegated to Charles, there was less disruption of the ceremonial aspects of the day. — Danica Kirka, USA TODAY, 10 May 2022 One of the key ceremonial functions of the British monarch is to formally open each session of Parliament where a speech is read by the sovereign on behalf of the government. — Victoria Murphy, Town & Country, 9 May 2022 After arriving in a State coach, the Queen gives a speech and often wears ceremonial robes and the 3-lb. — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE.com, 9 May 2022 The ceremonial first pitches were thrown by the mothers of Bregman, Altuve, Michael Brantley, Martín Maldonado, Jeremy Peña and Yuli Gurriel. — Jordan Godwin, Chron, 8 May 2022 Alice Tully, Lincoln Center’s concert hall, and its cathedral-sized pipe organ that flanks the stage matched the type of spiritual, ceremonial energy Welch and her band brought to the show. — Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 7 May 2022 Abby Dahlkemper threw ceremonial pitches at Petco Park. — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 May 2022 In 2018, Young was honored on the House floor for becoming the dean, a largely ceremonial post that goes to the member who has been serving the longest. — Becky Bohrer, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Mar. 2022 The latter is a mostly ceremonial post that Adams used to help promote platforms important to him, such as healthy eating and increasing public-school funding. — Washington Post, 11 Jan. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun There are at least two reasons for this: adding the retail margin to boost profits and controlling the selling ceremonial in stores. — Stéphane Jg Girod, Forbes, 31 Jan. 2022 The park district in May held a ceremonial groundbreaking to kick off the project and a construction fence, blocking entry to the park, was installed several days later. — Jennifer Johnson, chicagotribune.com, 12 Aug. 2021 This process is in some respects ceremonial, because by January the media has declared a winner and usually a concession speech has been given. — Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2020 This process is in some respects ceremonial, because by January the media has declared a winner and usually a concession speech has been given. — Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2020 This process is in some respects ceremonial, because by January the media has declared a winner and usually a concession speech has been given. — Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2020 Speaking of experts and politicians, a Palm Beach County position that is typical thought of as ceremonial was anything but that for Palm Beach County Mayor Dave Kerner. — Eileen Kelley, sun-sentinel.com, 16 Oct. 2020 This process is in some respects ceremonial, because by January the media has declared a winner and usually a concession speech has been given. — Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2020 Coming at the very pinnacle of Paris, the fashion ceremonial that is the Louis Vuitton show is always the grand finale, the last word, on the very last day, of a month of shows in four capitals. — Sarah Mower, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2020 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ceremonial.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.