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
Charles and Camilla arrived at the White House on Tuesday for a formal welcome ceremony, which included a 21-gun salute, a military band and soldiers in dress uniforms, a flyover by military fighter jets, and a large crowd in formal attire.
—Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
The next morning, as part of Charles’s welcome ceremony, American military units and bands marched through rain on the South Lawn.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
In a message to students on Wednesday, USF President Moez Limayem said that the university would hold a vigil for Limon and Bristy on Friday, and that there would be a remembrance for the students during next week’s commencement ceremonies.
—Mike Schneider, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Crowds of well wishers waved as the newlyweds rode in an open carriage from the abbey to Buckingham Palace after the ceremony.
—Jack Guy, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ceremony
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Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
The next morning, as part of Charles’s welcome ceremony, American military units and bands marched through rain on the South Lawn.
—Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
In a message to students on Wednesday, USF President Moez Limayem said that the university would hold a vigil for Limon and Bristy on Friday, and that there would be a remembrance for the students during next week’s commencement ceremonies.
—Mike Schneider, Sun Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2026
Crowds of well wishers waved as the newlyweds rode in an open carriage from the abbey to Buckingham Palace after the ceremony.
—Jack Guy, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 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 30 Apr. 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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