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
Delta flight attendant graduation ceremonies often take place at the Delta Flight Museum near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, shown here on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
—Emma Hurt, AJC.com, 25 June 2026
His wife, Francisca, and their two young sons were surrounded by relatives, friends, and colleagues during the ceremony.
—Doug Myers, CBS News, 25 June 2026
Chef Bottura and Lara fully embraced the evening, participating in the ceremonies and engaging deeply with the cultural significance of the gathering.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 June 2026
Kim Jong Un during a commissioning ceremony for the destroyer Choe Hyon at the port in Nampho on Tuesday.
—Stella Kim, NBC news, 24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ceremony
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Emma Hurt, AJC.com, 25 June 2026
His wife, Francisca, and their two young sons were surrounded by relatives, friends, and colleagues during the ceremony.
—Doug Myers, CBS News, 25 June 2026
Chef Bottura and Lara fully embraced the evening, participating in the ceremonies and engaging deeply with the cultural significance of the gathering.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 June 2026
Kim Jong Un during a commissioning ceremony for the destroyer Choe Hyon at the port in Nampho on Tuesday.
—Stella Kim, NBC news, 24 June 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 25 Jun. 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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