cer·e·mo·ni·al
ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-əl 
ˌse-rə-
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
: a ceremonial act, action, or system
Synonyms
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
Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 4 Apr. 2024
The event also featured a ceremonial burning of a pansexual Pride flag and a speech by former Trump official Seb Gorka.
—TIME, 4 Apr. 2024
No Labels votes to move forward with bipartisan presidential ticket
The centrist group then outlined a ceremonial Country Over Party committee tasked with selecting the candidates.
—Kelsey Walsh, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2024
There’s also a rare glimpse into his legendary jewelry pieces–which play with ideas of traditional ceremonial dress and whimsy (pineapples, gingerbread houses and unicorns abound).
—Kristen Bateman, Vogue, 30 Mar. 2024
It’s-still-Marlins Park-to-me had the requisite Opening Day trappings of red, white and blue bunting, a military jets flyover and the ceremonial introductions of the full rosters of Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates along the baselines.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2024
Chiefs coach Andy Reid walked toward the Kauffman Stadium mound to conduct his ceremonial duty with a baseball in his right hand and a Lombardi Trophy in the left.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2024
The royal family’s website says the ceremonial coins have remained mostly the same for hundreds of years, and that the royal tradition of presenting Maundy money to pensioners (retirees) is a parallel to Jesus washing the Apostles’ feet at the Last Supper.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 28 Mar. 2024
Elk Grove residents are invited to the ceremonial gathering to explore the station, meet local firefighters and learn more about CSD services.
—Marcus D. Smith, Sacramento Bee, 27 Mar. 2024
Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023
Nothing ceremonial marked the reopening, but a parking lot memorial stood as a reminder of the recent tragedy.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2023
He’s aided in this regard by DP Khalid Mohtaseb’s artfully dank lensing in shades of green and gold and gunge, and the shrieking ceremonials of Jed Kurzel’s suitably unrestrained score.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 Apr. 2023
Why Frank Jackson had held that ceremonial?
—Laura Johnston, cleveland, 25 Aug. 2022
The activism goes beyond the ceremonial.
—Phil Taylor, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Nov. 2020
Matchaful's Kiwami single cultivar ceremonial matcha is perfect for those who want the best possible flavor and quality — as well as an energizing drink.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 1 Mar. 2022
There are three main types of matcha tea ceremonial, culinary, and matcha latte.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Mar. 2022
The British empire soon crumbled, but Elizabeth managed to maintain a regal — if ceremonial — position as the head of the Commonwealth, the 54 nations of mostly previous British colonies.
—Andrew Meldrum, ajc, 9 Sep. 2022
Adjective
Dunn's parents, Josephine and Mitch Dunn, stood behind Hobbs at her ceremonial event Wednesday, next to Sen. Christine Marsh, a Phoenix Democrat whose son died of an overdose.
—Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 4 Apr. 2024
The event also featured a ceremonial burning of a pansexual Pride flag and a speech by former Trump official Seb Gorka.
—TIME, 4 Apr. 2024
No Labels votes to move forward with bipartisan presidential ticket
The centrist group then outlined a ceremonial Country Over Party committee tasked with selecting the candidates.
—Kelsey Walsh, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2024
There’s also a rare glimpse into his legendary jewelry pieces–which play with ideas of traditional ceremonial dress and whimsy (pineapples, gingerbread houses and unicorns abound).
—Kristen Bateman, Vogue, 30 Mar. 2024
It’s-still-Marlins Park-to-me had the requisite Opening Day trappings of red, white and blue bunting, a military jets flyover and the ceremonial introductions of the full rosters of Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates along the baselines.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2024
Chiefs coach Andy Reid walked toward the Kauffman Stadium mound to conduct his ceremonial duty with a baseball in his right hand and a Lombardi Trophy in the left.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2024
The royal family’s website says the ceremonial coins have remained mostly the same for hundreds of years, and that the royal tradition of presenting Maundy money to pensioners (retirees) is a parallel to Jesus washing the Apostles’ feet at the Last Supper.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 28 Mar. 2024
Elk Grove residents are invited to the ceremonial gathering to explore the station, meet local firefighters and learn more about CSD services.
—Marcus D. Smith, Sacramento Bee, 27 Mar. 2024
Noun
As her funeral is shown on The Crown season 6, here’s everything to know about the royal ceremonial.
—Kelsie Gibson, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023
Nothing ceremonial marked the reopening, but a parking lot memorial stood as a reminder of the recent tragedy.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2023
He’s aided in this regard by DP Khalid Mohtaseb’s artfully dank lensing in shades of green and gold and gunge, and the shrieking ceremonials of Jed Kurzel’s suitably unrestrained score.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 Apr. 2023
Why Frank Jackson had held that ceremonial?
—Laura Johnston, cleveland, 25 Aug. 2022
The activism goes beyond the ceremonial.
—Phil Taylor, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Nov. 2020
Matchaful's Kiwami single cultivar ceremonial matcha is perfect for those who want the best possible flavor and quality — as well as an energizing drink.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 1 Mar. 2022
There are three main types of matcha tea ceremonial, culinary, and matcha latte.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Mar. 2022
The British empire soon crumbled, but Elizabeth managed to maintain a regal — if ceremonial — position as the head of the Commonwealth, the 54 nations of mostly previous British colonies.
—Andrew Meldrum, ajc, 9 Sep. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ceremonial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to ceremonial
Dictionary Entries Near ceremonial
Cite this Entry
“Ceremonial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ceremonial. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ceremonial
1 of 2 adjective
cer·e·mo·ni·al
ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-əl
: of, relating to, or forming a ceremony
ceremonialness
noun
ceremonial
2 of 2 noun
: a ceremonial act, action, or system
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share