ceremonial

cer·e·mo·ni·al | \ ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-əl

How to pronounce ceremonial (audio)

, 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

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

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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 When David Cone tossed a perfect game for the Yankees during the 1999 season, Larsen was in attendance after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. — Time, "Pitcher Don Larsen, Who Threw Only Perfect Game in World Series History, Dies at 90," 2 Jan. 2020 When David Cone tossed a perfect game for the Yankees during the 1999 season, Mr. Larsen was in attendance after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. — Washington Post, "Don Larsen, N.Y. Yankee who threw only perfect game in World Series, dies at 90," 2 Jan. 2020 When the Yankees' David Cone pitched a perfect game during the 1999 season, Larsen was in attendance, having thrown out the ceremonial first pitch to Berra as part of the festivities for Yogi Berra Day at Yankee Stadium. — CBS News, "Don Larsen, the only pitcher to ever throw a no-hitter in World Series history, has died at age 90," 1 Jan. 2020 Like his predecessors for nearly 200 years, General Kelley and his wife lived in elegance in a historic Washington residence with high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, a reputed ghost and a view of parade grounds clattering with ceremonial drills. — New York Times, "Gen. Paul X. Kelley, Top Marine Tested by a Bombing, Dies at 91," 31 Dec. 2019 Substantial livestock remains found at the fort testify to its importance as a ceremonial feasting center. — Brigit Katz, Smithsonian Magazine, "People Trekked Across Ireland to Eat Pork at This Ancient Site," 31 Dec. 2019 On a warm December night in a Centennial church, Ashton Steadman stepped onto a wooden bridge, taking his final ceremonial steps as a member of the Cub Scouts. — Sam Tabachnik, The Denver Post, "They’ve been intertwined for more than 100 years. Now the Boy Scouts and Latter-day Saints prepare for life apart.," 31 Dec. 2019 That post, high profile but mostly ceremonial, is meant to be apolitical and unifying. — BostonGlobe.com, "JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel easily brushed off a challenge for the leadership of the conservative Likud party early Friday, a crucial victory for Israel’s longest-serving leader but one that may only harden the country’s yearlong political standoff.," 27 Dec. 2019 Several hundred people were on hand Sunday night at Market Street’s Central Park community space in The Woodlands to celebrate the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah capped off by the ceremonial lighting of the menorah. — Jeff Forward, Houston Chronicle, "Hundreds on hand for annual lighting of the Menorah in Woodlands," 23 Dec. 2019 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The ceremony eclipsed in pomp and splendor any recent ceremonial of the British court. — Scott Harrison, latimes.com, "Royal Wedding: British royal weddings since 1840," 15 May 2018 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

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.

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Last Updated

21 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Ceremonial.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ceremonial. Accessed 21 January 2020.

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More Definitions for ceremonial

ceremonial

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of ceremonial

(Entry 1 of 2)

: used in or done as part of a ceremony

: including a ceremony : marked by a ceremony

: without real power or influence

ceremonial

noun

English Language Learners Definition of ceremonial (Entry 2 of 2)

: a special ceremony

See the full definition for ceremonial in the English Language Learners Dictionary

ceremonial

cer·e·mo·ni·al | \ ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-əl

\

Kids Definition of ceremonial

(Entry 1 of 2)

: of, used in, or being a ceremony ceremonial drums a ceremonial dinner

ceremonial

Kids Definition of ceremonial (Entry 2 of 2)

: a special ceremony

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