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
Karmen Black, a licensed social worker and Minneapolis resident, received the Heroic Act Award from the United States Lifesaving Association on Monday during a ceremony at Minneapolis Fire Station 5.
—Nick Lunemann, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
Kimmel proceeded to thank his wife, Molly McNearney, Kimmel Live's producers, and the annual ceremony's voting body, before turning his attention to the most special recipient of his gratitude.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Jan. 2026
The ceremony will be broadcast on CBS and streamed on Paramount+, with comedian Nikki Glaser returning as host.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 5 Jan. 2026
However, French officials’ tolerance of petit marronage allowed for the forging of maroon and slave connections across the island, as people gathered for religious ceremonies or dances, building networks that were useful at the time and would become vital in the future.
—Literary Hub, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ceremony
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Nick Lunemann, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
Kimmel proceeded to thank his wife, Molly McNearney, Kimmel Live's producers, and the annual ceremony's voting body, before turning his attention to the most special recipient of his gratitude.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Jan. 2026
The ceremony will be broadcast on CBS and streamed on Paramount+, with comedian Nikki Glaser returning as host.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 5 Jan. 2026
However, French officials’ tolerance of petit marronage allowed for the forging of maroon and slave connections across the island, as people gathered for religious ceremonies or dances, building networks that were useful at the time and would become vital in the future.
—Literary Hub, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ceremony
Cite this Entry
“Ceremony.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ceremony. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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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