ceremonial

adjective cer·e·mo·ni·al \ ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-əl , ˌse-rə- \

Definition of ceremonial

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

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ceremonialism

play \-ə-ˌli-zəm\ noun

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ceremonialist

play \-ə-list\ noun

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ceremonially

play \-ə-lē\ adverb

See ceremonial defined for English-language learners

See ceremonial defined for kids

Examples of ceremonial in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of ceremonial from the Web

American flags also will be accepted for ceremonial destruction.

— susan demar lafferty, Daily Southtown, "Recyclepalooza event Sept. 9 in New Lenox," 30 Aug. 2017
The scissors are used for ribbon-cutting and other ceremonial events.

— lauryn schroeder, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Movie passes, karaoke machines and driftwood: Database shows 56,000 San Diego city charge card purchases," 23 Aug. 2017
The photograph of Archer, on the north stairwell leading up to the ceremonial courtroom, was moved from the other stairwell several years ago.

— erika butler, The Aegis, "Both sides of Civil War represented in Harford courthouse portraits," 16 Aug. 2017
Skeptics wonder, though, whether the two-time Oscar nominee would have time for the top gig, which has expanded from a largely ceremonial position into a full-time job under the last few presidents.

— rebecca keegan, vanityfair.com, "Staffing Hollywood’s Toughest Job," 7 Aug. 2017
Skeptics wonder, though, whether the two-time Oscar nominee would have time for the top gig, which has expanded from a largely ceremonial position into a full-time job under the last few presidents.

— rebecca keegan, HWD, "Staffing Hollywood’s Toughest Job," 7 Aug. 2017
Mic'd up and on the mound, @Lil_Eazy_Ana_42 threw out last night's ceremonial #FirstPitch for the @mariners.

— mark inabinett, AL.com, "Check out Eddie Lacy's form on the mound as he delivers first pitch for Seattle Mariners," 30 July 2017
Inside the main assembly plant, hundreds of chairs, all wrapped in ceremonial white fabric, faced a brightly polished stage.

— monte reel, Bloomberg.com, "If Davos Were a Person, It Would Be Carlos Ghosn," 20 July 2017
Ram Nath Kovind, 71, an understated politician from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governing Bharatiya Janata Party, was selected as his party’s candidate for the largely ceremonial position in an effort to secure the Dalit vote in future elections.

— nida najar, New York Times, "India Picks Ram Nath Kovind, of Caste Once Called ‘Untouchables,’ as President," 20 July 2017

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.

First Known Use of ceremonial

14th century

ceremonial Synonyms

Synonyms

formal, ceremonious, conventional, orthodox, regular, routine

Synonym Discussion of ceremonial

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

ceremonial

noun

Definition of ceremonial

:a ceremonial act, action, or system

See ceremonial defined for English-language learners

Examples of ceremonial in a Sentence

a number of religious ceremonials
the funeral of a pope is usually marked by rich pageantry and elaborate ceremonials

Recent Examples of ceremonial from the Web

The actress said this stemmed from working non-stop on back-to-back albums, her 2009 debut Lungs and 2011's Ceremonials.

— harper's bazaar staff, Harper's BAZAAR, "Florence + the Machine Performs on 'The Late Show'," 7 Oct. 2015

First Known Use of ceremonial

14th century

ceremonial Synonyms

Synonyms

rite, ceremony, form, formality, observance, ritual, solemnity

Related Words

amenities, civility, decorum, etiquette, graces, proprieties; protocol; convention, custom, habit, manners, mores, practice (also practise), standard, tradition, way; celebration, service

CEREMONIAL Defined for English Language Learners

ceremonial

adjective

Definition of ceremonial for English Language Learners

: used in or done as part of a ceremony
: including a ceremony : marked by a ceremony
: without real power or influence

ceremonial

noun

Definition of ceremonial for English Language Learners

: a special ceremony

CEREMONIAL Defined for Kids

ceremonial

adjective cer·e·mo·ni·al \ ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-əl \

Definition of ceremonial for Students

:of, used in, or being a ceremony

ceremonial drums

a ceremonial dinner

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ceremonially

adverb

ceremonial

noun

Definition of ceremonial for Students

:a special ceremony

Learn More about ceremonial

See words that rhyme with ceremonial Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ceremonial Spanish Central: Translation of ceremonial Nglish: Translation of ceremonial for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of ceremonial for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ceremonial

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ceremonial

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ceremonial

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ceremonial

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ceremonially

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