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
Camila and Matthew McConaughey (center) co-founders of Pantalones Tequila, christen the Star Princess ship in sparkly ceremony.
—Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
Later in the evening, Elton John led a tribute to the late Beach Boys member Brian Wilson, and the ceremony showed a video tribute to Ozzy Osbourne.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 9 Nov. 2025
The ceremony’s very first segment hit like a groovy EpiPen, which celebrated the life and work of Sly Stone, who died earlier this year at the age of 82.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2025
Also mentioned during the ceremony were Broder’s famous cigar hangouts and poker nights with his friends in the business.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ceremony
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Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
Later in the evening, Elton John led a tribute to the late Beach Boys member Brian Wilson, and the ceremony showed a video tribute to Ozzy Osbourne.
—Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 9 Nov. 2025
The ceremony’s very first segment hit like a groovy EpiPen, which celebrated the life and work of Sly Stone, who died earlier this year at the age of 82.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 9 Nov. 2025
Also mentioned during the ceremony were Broder’s famous cigar hangouts and poker nights with his friends in the business.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ceremony
Cite this Entry
“Ceremony.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ceremony. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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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