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

Park's swearing-in ceremony coincided with a proclamation recognizing the 123rd anniversary of Korean American Day, which will also be celebrated at the state capitol. —Monique John, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2026

The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department lauded 20 graduates of their law enforcement academy during a Thursday evening ceremony. —Sofi Zeman january 13, Kansas City Star, 13 Jan. 2026

Jenner also appeared by Chalamet's side at the 2025 ceremony, when he was nominated for playing Bob Dylan in 2024's A Complete Unknown. —Liza Esquibias, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026

Storrie came out on stage at the 2026 ceremony in Los Angeles with costar Hudson Williams to present the award for Best Supporting TV Actress, which Adolescence actress Erin Doherty won. —Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Jan. 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
• naloxone

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