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

: 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

3

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

Synonyms of ceremony

• ritual
• ceremonial

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

Prince Harry was already set to be in Britain next month for an annual ceremony run by WellChild, a charity that cares for seriously ill children and young people in the UK. — Max Foster, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026

There ceremony is set to honor legendary Hollywood star and Oscar winner Faye Dunaway with a lifetime achievement award for her decades of work and a resumé that includes Bonnie and Clyde, Network, Chinatown, Mommie Dearest and more. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026

The proposals included options for opening and closing ceremonies at Disney theme parks. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026

In 2018, the pair were married at a ceremony at Windsor Castle. — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ceremonie, from Middle French ceremonie, from Latin caerimonia

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ceremony

• stand on ceremony

Rhymes for ceremony

• abalone
• acrimony
• alimony
• antimony
• chalcedony
• cicerone
• cosmogony
• eurozone
• lithopone
• macaroni
• matrimony
• parsimony

Kids 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